pettier; pettiest
1
: having secondary rank or importance : minor, subordinate
2
: having little or no importance or significance
3
: marked by or reflective of narrow interests and sympathies : small-minded
Synonyms
Examples of petty in a Sentence
a petty argument about grammar
My behavior was petty and stupid. I apologize.
Recent Examples on the Web
The proceedings seemed terminally petty, an embarrassing dissipation of everyone’s time and resources.
—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2024
The relationship between Frida and Sarah models and tests familiar dynamics between women, from petty jealousies to empowering alliances.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Aug. 2024
Mercury retrograde could further complicate matters by causing petty misunderstandings at work or disrupting your schedule overall.
—Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 5 Aug. 2024
The two Koreas have been engaged in petty Cold War-style psychological warfare since at least March, with the North having flown thousands of balloons toward the South, filled with wastepaper, cloth scraps, cigarette butts and even manure.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for petty 
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2024
The relationship between Frida and Sarah models and tests familiar dynamics between women, from petty jealousies to empowering alliances.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Aug. 2024
Mercury retrograde could further complicate matters by causing petty misunderstandings at work or disrupting your schedule overall.
—Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 5 Aug. 2024
The two Koreas have been engaged in petty Cold War-style psychological warfare since at least March, with the North having flown thousands of balloons toward the South, filled with wastepaper, cloth scraps, cigarette butts and even manure.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 6 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for petty
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'petty.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near petty
Cite this Entry
“Petty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petty. Accessed 27 Sep. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
petty
adjective
pet·ty
ˈpet-ē 
pettier; pettiest
1
: lesser in rank or importance : minor
a petty prince
2
: having little or no importance or meaning
petty details
3
: having or displaying a mean narrow-minded attitude : small-minded
Etymology
Middle English pety "small, minor," an altered form of petit (same meaning), from early French petit "small"
Legal Definition
Biographical Definition
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