Petulant: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is often used to describe someone who is childishly sulky or bad-tempered over something minor. It's usually associated with a negative connotation.

• The petulant child threw a tantrum when he didn't get his way.
• After being told the office was closing early, she became petulant and refused to finish her work.

Peevish typically describes someone who is easily annoyed over small things. It has a slightly old-fashioned tone and is usually negative.

• He became peevish when his favorite show was interrupted by a news report.
• Her peevish attitude made it difficult to collaborate on the project.

Cranky generally describes someone who is irritable or in a bad mood, often because of physical discomfort like being tired or hungry. It's a more casual term.

• I'm always a bit cranky in the morning before I've had my coffee.
• After a long day at work, he was too cranky to enjoy the party.

Irritable is used to describe someone who is easily annoyed or angered, often because of stress or other external factors. It can apply to temporary moods or more chronic states.

• Lack of sleep can make people more irritable.
• She's been very irritable lately because of the tight deadlines at work.

Used to describe someone who is childishly sulky or bad-tempered. It often has a negative connotation, suggesting immaturity.

• The petulant child refused to eat his vegetables.
• She gave a petulant reply when asked to help with the chores.

Used to describe someone who is easily irritated or impatient, often reacting to minor annoyances. It has a somewhat negative but less severe connotation.

• She was more testy than usual after not getting enough sleep.
• His testy response indicated he was not in the mood for jokes.

Used to describe someone who is feeling or expressing worry or irritation. It's often associated with someone being anxious or restless.

• The baby became fretful and needed to be comforted.
• He was fretful about the upcoming exam results.

Describes someone who is easily offended or oversensitive. It can also mean a situation that is delicate or difficult to handle without causing offense.

• Be careful what you say; he's quite touchy about his work.
• That's a touchy subject that we should avoid discussing.