as in irritability
readiness to show annoyance or impatience
I do not appreciate your petulance and eagerness to argue
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of petulance
Oh, the petulance, the bristling, the gnashing of teeth.
—
Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2025
The sense of entitlement and petulance on display is staggering.
—Jeffrey Blehar, National Review, 13 Dec. 2024
Democrats amp up infighting and 'unhinged petulance' as approval rating plummets
Trump is openly defying court orders.
—Nicole Russell, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Olivero’s riveting performance mingles entitled teenage petulance with darker reserves of rage, all crammed behind a feline mean-girl demeanor.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for petulance
Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2025
The sense of entitlement and petulance on display is staggering.
—Jeffrey Blehar, National Review, 13 Dec. 2024
Democrats amp up infighting and 'unhinged petulance' as approval rating plummets
Trump is openly defying court orders.
—Nicole Russell, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Olivero’s riveting performance mingles entitled teenage petulance with darker reserves of rage, all crammed behind a feline mean-girl demeanor.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for petulance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petulance
Noun
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Your personality or mood changes Several symptoms that aren’t memory-related are associated with early Alzheimer's and dementia, including irritability, depression, anxiety, and apathy.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Mood swings, irritability, headaches, acne, and cramps are some of the most common symptoms suffered by women during the week leading up to menstruation.—
María Quiles,
Vogue,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
At age twelve, Genge began playing rugby and found an outlet for his aggression.—
Vitas Carosella,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
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The level of aggression of the cancer is determined by the Gleason score and grade system.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Petulance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petulance. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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