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petulant

adjective
pet·​u·​lant | \ ˈpe-chÉ™-lÉ™nt How to pronounce petulant (audio) \

Definition of petulant

1 : insolent or rude in speech or behavior
2 : characterized by temporary or capricious ill humor : peevish
Other Words from petulant Synonyms Petulant Has Latin Roots Example Sentences Learn More about petulant

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Other Words from petulant

petulantly adverb

Petulant Has Latin Roots

Petulant is one of many English words that are related to the Latin verb petere, which means "to go to," "to attack," "to seek," or "to request." "Petere" is a relative of the Latin adjective petulans ("impudent"), from which "petulant" was derived. Some other words with connections to "petere" are "compete" and "appetite." "Competere," the Late Latin precursor to "compete," is a combination of the prefix com- and the verb "petere." The joining of ad- and petere led to "appetere" ("to strive after"), and eventually to Latin appetitus, the source of our "appetite." Additional descendants of "petere" are "petition," "perpetual," and "impetus."

Examples of petulant in a Sentence

Oxford's denial of her [Margaret Thatcher's] honorary degree in 1984 was no petulant fluke but an accurate measure of her unpopularity with the whole profession. — Harold Perkin, Times Literary Supplement, 26 June 1992 In the hot, petulant little cockpit she was triumphant—drunk with anger, defiance, and the beginnings of relief. — Sebastian Faulks, Independent on Sunday (London), 25 Nov. 1990 Sometimes, under … rapid-fire questioning, he became petulant and quibbled over words in a way that suggested a close reading of the law. — Frances FitzGerald, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 1989 Mouth petulant but its hardness in it, behind it. Looking at that mouth you felt her teeth in you … — Jayne Anne Phillips, Black Tickets, (1975) 1979 Her tone was petulant and angry. a petulant and fussy man who is always blaming everyone else for his problems
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Recent Examples on the Web

 His petulant begging for a drop at the Memorial did not help matters). — Daniel Rapaport, SI.com, "Eight Takeaways From the PGA Tour's Regular Season," 6 Aug. 2019 Landon Hawkins is a riot as dour and petulant sister Mary Bennet, whose lurking startles everyone, and uncomplicatedly upbeat as sister Jane’s suitor Bingley, who’s treated literally like a puppy. — Sam Hurwitt, The Mercury News, "Review: Shakespeare’s twins, Jane Austen romance delight in Santa Cruz," 31 July 2019 As petulant-but-gifted assassin Villanelle on BBC America spy thriller Killing Eve, Jodie Comer cycled through accents, outfits, and human targets, winning over critics and fans early on. — Dan Snierson, EW.com, "Killing Eve star Jodie Comer on her first Emmy nomination: 'I was completely unaware it was happening this morning'," 16 July 2019 This petulant footballer turned his back on Liverpool. — SI.com, "Philippe Coutinho: Why Liverpool Would Be Insane to Bring the Brazilian Back to Anfield," 15 July 2019 But her glares, her nasty asides to Jon about Dany's beauty and his attraction to her, undermine Sansa's grit and intelligence and erode at her evolution from the petulant brat of Season 1. — Julie Kosin, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Game of Thrones Rivalry Between Sansa & Daenerys Is Gendered and Regressive," 16 Apr. 2019 Must-Read Instead of playing baseball, the Rockies and Cubs ruined a perfectly lovely afternoon at the park by acting like petulant children and starting a rock fight. Beanball war! — Jeff Bailey, The Denver Post, "Dustin Johnson to win the U.S. Open? He is a favorite this year at Pebble Beach.," 13 June 2019 The petulant pant suit is teaming up with Steven Spielberg, whoever that is, to produce a documentary on the woman suffrage movement. — Fox News, "Gutfeld: Be nicer. It will drive your enemies nuts," 5 Aug. 2018 But for this petulant group, another midlife crisis is always lurking around the corner. — Andrew R. Chow, New York Times, "What’s on TV Sunday: ‘The Affair’ and ‘Parts Unknown’," 17 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'petulant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of petulant

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for petulant

Latin or Middle French; Middle French, from Latin petulant-, petulans; akin to Latin petere to go to, attack, seek — more at feather

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More Definitions for petulant

petulant

adjective
How to pronounce petulant (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of petulant

disapproving : having or showing the attitude of people who become angry and annoyed when they do not get what they want

See the full definition for petulant in the English Language Learners Dictionary

petulant

adjective
pet·​u·​lant | \ ˈpe-chÉ™-lÉ™nt How to pronounce petulant (audio) \

Kids Definition of petulant

: often in a bad mood : cross

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More from Merriam-Webster on petulant

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for petulant

Spanish Central: Translation of petulant

Nglish: Translation of petulant for Spanish Speakers

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