Definitions

petty

[pet-ee] / ˈpɛt i /

ADJECTIVE

trivial, insignificant

Synonyms

STRONGEST

frivolous lesser minor narrow-minded

STRONG

base inessential inferior junior light little lower peanut scratch secondary shallow shoestring slight small subordinate trifling

WEAK

casual cheap contemptible inconsequent inconsiderable irrelevant measly negligible nickel-and-dime niggling paltry penny-ante pettifogging picayune piddling shabby small-minded two-bit unimportant

Antonyms

STRONGEST

greater major

STRONG

big enormous first-class first-rate great huge immense important large significant superior

WEAK

consequential necessary prominent useful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In 1921, a series of petty crimes swept through Southampton, England.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Drake turns the frigid, isolated mansion rap that’s become his trademark toward relitigating the last half-decade of petty squabbles and minor slights.

From Salon • May 21, 2026

"If you want to taсkle migration, join us and do it legally. Simply running into some market in masks isn't fighting migration - that's more like petty hooliganism," he says.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

OpenAI counters that Musk, who is now also an AI player with xAI, is motivated by petty revenge, having failed to seize majority control.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

Prince Dain, about to be crowned the High King, does not have time to indulge in the petty sport of pretending to take me into his service just because a callow younger brother wishes it.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

Vocabulary lists containing petty

"Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare, Act I

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I Am Malala

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Even More Negative Words to Describe a Person

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