petulant

adjective

pet·u·lant ˈpe-chə-lənt How to pronounce petulant (audio)

: insolent or rude in speech or behavior

: characterized by temporary or capricious ill humor : peevish

petulantly adverb

Did you know?

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."

Example Sentences

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 See More

Recent Examples on the Web Your letter implies that your husband’s insatiable appetite and petulant attitude weren’t really an issue before you actually got married.

Wayne And Wanda, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Sep. 2022 In today’s world, the petulant disagreements between thetwo seem quaint.

Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2022 Serena was at times petulant during a challenging match, or when losing, overshadowing monumental wins for her victorious opponents.

Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 10 Aug. 2022 Which might as well be Donald Trump’s petulant political epitaph.

Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 22 July 2022 As the garrulous toddler turns into a petulant adolescent, Brian’s protectiveness toward Charles, who longs for adventure — Hawaii, glimpsed on the TV, really grabs him — is reasonable, not pathological.

Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 June 2022 Instead, Yale issued a weak statement that defended the student protesters and grossly downplayed their disruptive and petulant actions.

Kristen Waggoner, National Review, 21 Mar. 2022 James’ performance leans into Henry’s weariness, seeming at times petulant at what he’s being made to endure.

Daniel D'addario, Variety, 11 May 2022 Across his first two stops in the N.F.L., Beckham developed a reputation as a petulant but popular receiver, as well known for making absurd catches as proposing to kicking nets, appearing in a Drake video and forcing his way out of town.

New York Times, 13 Feb. 2022 See More

单词	petulant
释义	petulant adjective pet·u·lant ˈpe-chə-lənt 1 : insolent or rude in speech or behavior 2 : characterized by temporary or capricious ill humor : peevish petulantly adverb Did you know? 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." Synonyms choleric crabby cranky cross crotchety fiery grouchy grumpy irascible irritable peevish perverse pettish prickly quick-tempered raspy ratty short-tempered snappish snappy snarky snippety snippy stuffy testy waspish See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences 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 See More Recent Examples on the Web Your letter implies that your husband’s insatiable appetite and petulant attitude weren’t really an issue before you actually got married. Wayne And Wanda, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Sep. 2022 In today’s world, the petulant disagreements between thetwo seem quaint. Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2022 Serena was at times petulant during a challenging match, or when losing, overshadowing monumental wins for her victorious opponents. Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 10 Aug. 2022 Which might as well be Donald Trump’s petulant political epitaph. Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 22 July 2022 As the garrulous toddler turns into a petulant adolescent, Brian’s protectiveness toward Charles, who longs for adventure — Hawaii, glimpsed on the TV, really grabs him — is reasonable, not pathological. Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 June 2022 Instead, Yale issued a weak statement that defended the student protesters and grossly downplayed their disruptive and petulant actions. Kristen Waggoner, National Review, 21 Mar. 2022 James’ performance leans into Henry’s weariness, seeming at times petulant at what he’s being made to endure. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 11 May 2022 Across his first two stops in the N.F.L., Beckham developed a reputation as a petulant but popular receiver, as well known for making absurd catches as proposing to kicking nets, appearing in a Drake video and forcing his way out of town. New York Times, 13 Feb. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Latin or Middle French; Middle French, from Latin petulant-, petulans; akin to Latin petere to go to, attack, seek — more at feather First Known Use 1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Kids Definition petulant adjective pet·u·lant ˈpe-chə-lənt : often in a bad mood : cross petulant adjective 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 irritable fiery peevish irascible snappish grumpy grouchy crotchety waspish snarky pettish crabby testy choleric snippy passionate raspy cross cranky short-tempered querulous quick-tempered belligerent sensitive stuffy perverse snippety cantankerous ornery curmudgeonly surly prickly ratty bilious snarly bellicose contentious fretful pouty pugnacious short dyspeptic truculent disagreeable sulky combative argumentative sullen ill-tempered out of humor snappy tetchy quarrelsome out of sorts fractious ill-humored huffy ill-natured disputatious scrappy cross-grained off-colored bearish thin-skinned off-color touchy hot-blooded Antonyms & Near Antonyms affable friendly amiable cordial gregarious sweet outgoing genial extroverted companionable agreeable extraverted sociable carefree good-natured easygoing stoic stoical good-tempered tolerant patient relaxed uncomplaining forbearing well-disposed obliging happy-go-lucky understanding long-suffering See More
随便看	ganeshas ganeshes ganevs gang gang days gang hook gang mill gang milling daily dozens daim daimen daimiate daimio daimios daimiote Daimler daimon daimones daimonic daimonion daimons daimyo daimyos daincha daint

petulant

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

adjective

adjective