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Petulance Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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petulance

[ˈpɛtjʊləns ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

showing irritation or impatience

Petulance is the quality of being childishly sulky or bad-tempered.

Synonyms

impatience, irritability, sulkiness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
petulance

Petulance is used to describe childish bad temper, often over something trivial. It suggests an unreasonable or sudden irritation.

  • The child's petulance was apparent when he didn't get his favorite ice cream.
  • Their petulance became evident when the meeting was delayed.
sulkiness

Sulkiness describes the mood of being silent and bad-tempered, often in response to not getting one's way. It typically has a negative connotation of immaturity.

  • He showed his sulkiness by refusing to talk to anyone after the decision.
  • Her sulkiness was evident when she stayed in her room all day.
irritability

Irritability refers to a general tendency to become annoyed or angry easily. It implies a sensitivity to being disturbed.

  • Lack of sleep caused his irritability today.
  • Irritability can be a symptom of stress.
impatience

Impatience is used when someone is restless or stressed due to a delay or waiting for something. It often reflects a lack of tolerance.

  • Her impatience was clear as she tapped her foot while waiting in line.
  • He showed impatience during the lengthy presentation.

Examples of usage

  • She stamped her foot in petulance when she didn't get her way.
  • His constant petulance made it difficult to have a conversation with him.
Context #2 | Noun

displaying sudden impatience or irritation

Petulance can also refer to the act of displaying sudden impatience or irritation.

Synonyms

impatience, irritation, snappiness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
petulance

Petulance is used when someone is being childishly sulky or bad-tempered, often in response to not getting what they want.

  • Her petulance was evident when she didn't get the promotion, and she refused to talk to her colleagues.
  • He displayed petulance by stomping his feet and pouting when told to finish his homework.
impatience

Impatience is often used when someone is unable to wait for something or someone. It can be seen as a lack of endurance or tolerance for delays.

  • His impatience was clear as he kept checking his watch while waiting in line.
  • She showed impatience during the long meeting by tapping her pen and sighing loudly.
irritation

Irritation refers to a state of being annoyed or bothered by something, often by repeated or ongoing issues.

  • There was a note of irritation in her voice when she had to explain the instructions for the third time.
  • His constant fidgeting led to irritation among his classmates.
snappiness

Snappiness is used to describe a quick, irritable response to someone or something. It often implies a short temper and a tendency to respond harshly.

  • Her snappiness with her colleagues made it difficult to work together as a team.
  • He answered with snappiness when asked about his late arrival, which surprised everyone.

Examples of usage

  • The customer's petulance towards the waiter was uncalled for.
  • Her petulance at the slightest inconvenience was exhausting to deal with.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'petulance'

The word 'petulance' originated in the mid-16th century from the Latin word 'petulantia', meaning 'impudence'. Over time, the meaning evolved to refer to a childish display of impatience or irritation. The term is often used to describe behavior that is sulky, bad-tempered, or impatient.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,968, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.