Synonyms of petulant

petulant

adjective

ˈpe-chə-lənt 

as in irritable

easily irritated or annoyed

a petulant and fussy man who is always blaming everyone else for his problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

• irritable
• fiery
• peevish
• irascible
• snappish
• grumpy
• waspish
• crotchety
• grouchy
• snarky
• pettish
• testy
• crabby
• choleric
• passionate
• cross
• snippy
• cranky
• raspy
• short-tempered
• out of humor
• out of sorts
• stuffy
• sensitive
• perverse
• querulous
• quick-tempered
• prickly
• belligerent
• ratty
• short
• cantankerous
• ornery
• contentious
• surly
• snippety
• bilious
• curmudgeonly
• dyspeptic
• fretful
• disagreeable
• snarly
• pugnacious
• bellicose
• combative
• argumentative
• sulky
• pouty
• truculent
• snappy
• sullen
• ill-tempered
• quarrelsome
• fractious
• tetchy
• ill-humored
• ill-natured
• huffy
• scrappy
• disputatious
• cross-grained
• bearish
• thin-skinned
• off-color
• touchy
• hot-blooded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• friendly
• affable
• outgoing
• cordial
• gregarious
• genial
• amiable
• sweet
• extroverted
• companionable
• sociable
• good-natured
• agreeable
• carefree
• easygoing
• good-tempered
• patient
• relaxed
• stoic
• tolerant
• well-disposed
• long-suffering
• uncomplaining
• forbearing
• understanding
• obliging
• happy-go-lucky

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of petulant

The Julio Torres of TV and movies and sketch comedy and stand-up is an adorable idiot, a stubborn, often petulant child with insights that elude adults. —Adam Moss, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026

At her very best, Emily behaves like a petulant pre-adolescent spoiled imp. —Liza Lentini, SPIN, 14 Apr. 2026

The two major parties fight for control like petulant children wrestling over a television remote. —Stu Strumwasser, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026

And then in Season 2, that petulant child is ready to quit and throw a hissy fit. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 22 Mar. 2026

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