as in irritable
easily irritated or annoyed
a petulant and fussy man who is always blaming everyone else for his problems
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of petulant
This team hasn’t just failed, it’s done so while often coming across as thoroughly petulant and unlikeable.
—
Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 21 May 2025
But from former Bills teammates, aside from generic praise about his productive yet petulant time here, frank opinions about Diggs’ influence aren’t shared.
—Tim Graham, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Trump and his minions have gone so far as to limit the Associated Press’ access to the White House in a petulant tantrum because the AP, like the rest of the world, refuses to accept his silly renaming of the Gulf of Mexico.
—John A. Ragosta, Baltimore Sun, 27 May 2025
Over four seasons of The Righteous Gemstones, viewers could rely on certain things: male full frontal, jokes about ass play, a moment of physical comedy from Edi Patterson’s petulant and petty Judy Gemstone that might cause your face to break from laughter.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for petulant
Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 21 May 2025
But from former Bills teammates, aside from generic praise about his productive yet petulant time here, frank opinions about Diggs’ influence aren’t shared.
—Tim Graham, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Trump and his minions have gone so far as to limit the Associated Press’ access to the White House in a petulant tantrum because the AP, like the rest of the world, refuses to accept his silly renaming of the Gulf of Mexico.
—John A. Ragosta, Baltimore Sun, 27 May 2025
Over four seasons of The Righteous Gemstones, viewers could rely on certain things: male full frontal, jokes about ass play, a moment of physical comedy from Edi Patterson’s petulant and petty Judy Gemstone that might cause your face to break from laughter.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for petulant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petulant
Adjective
-
Despite its self-destructive proclivities, the irritable giant has managed to make, and keep, a friend.—
Robin George Andrews,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
-
Determined to make a clean SPF, Brown says a chemical formula was out of the question (chemical sunscreens are often thought to be unsafe for the coral reef and irritable to sensitive skin types).—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Earlier this year, Rep. Richard Hudson, the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, encouraged House Republicans to do more virtual events over in-person town halls after several House Republicans faced fiery constituents at in-person town halls.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
1 Aug. 2025
-
The Six of Wands card shows up to partner with this fiery Aries energy and remind you that victory is a state of mind.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Petulant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petulant. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share