Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

petulance

[pech-uh-luhns] / ˈpɛtʃ ə ləns /
NOUN
peevishness
Synonyms


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.

See Examples For:

Tom has a more pressing motive than soothing petulance over illustrations.

From The Wall Street Journal Mar. 24, 2026

Musk’s petulance doesn’t demand a great deal of investigation.

From Barron's Dec. 8, 2025

Olson’s penchant for petulance, spite and sass while still remaining loveable — See: Fox’s short-lived "The Mick."

From Salon May 16, 2025

Raffish Alice and the other women provide welcome respite from Ben’s puerile petulance.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 4, 2023

“But they’re getting all the fame and opportunity,” Milo persisted with a petulance that bordered on sniveling.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller




Vocabulary lists containing petulance


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training