Petulant: meaning, definitions and examples

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petulant

[ˈpɛtjʊlənt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

behavior

childishly sulky or bad-tempered

Synonyms

cranky, irritable, peevish.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
petulant	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	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	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	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.

Examples of usage

She was in a petulant mood after losing the game.
Don't be so petulant just because things didn't go your way.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

expression

easily irritated or annoyed

Synonyms

fretful, testy, touchy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
petulant	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.
testy	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.
fretful	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.
touchy	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.

Examples of usage

His petulant expression showed his displeasure with the decision.
She gave a petulant sigh before storming out of the room.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term comes from the Latin word 'petulans', which means 'forward' or 'impertinent'.
It entered the English language in the late 17th century, reflecting a growing interest in emotional expressions.
Originally, it described someone who was playful or lively but evolved to describe irritability.

Psychology

Studies suggest that petulance can be tied to emotional regulation difficulties often seen in children.
This behavior may serve as a coping mechanism for individuals struggling to express deeper feelings.
Adults displaying petulant behavior may be experiencing stress or frustration from unmet expectations.

Literature

The term features prominently in classic literature to depict characters who are spoiled or capricious.
In Jane Austen's works, characters exhibiting petulance often face social repercussions for their behavior.
Shakespeare’s texts hint at petulance as a flaw in noble characters, suggesting vulnerability despite their status.

Pop Culture

Petulance is often portrayed comically on television, where characters throw tantrums over trivial matters.
Animated films frequently use petulant characters to highlight the humor in their responses to disappointment.
Reality shows often showcase petulance in contestants, making it relatable and adding to dramatic moments.

Social Dynamics

Petulant behavior can impact relationships significantly, leading to misunderstandings and social isolation.
Children exhibiting these tendencies may find it difficult to make friends unless taught healthy coping strategies.
In a workplace setting, petulance can hinder collaboration and productivity, affecting team dynamics.

Translations

Translations of the word "petulant" in other languages:

🇵🇹 irritadiço

🇮🇳 चिड़चिड़ा (chīṛchīṛā)

🇩🇪 gereizt

🇮🇩 cerewet

🇺🇦 дратівливий

🇵🇱 drażliwy

🇯🇵 怒りっぽい (ikarippoi)

🇫🇷 irascible

🇪🇸 irritable

🇹🇷 huysuz

🇰🇷 성급한 (seonggeupan)

🇸🇦 سريع الغضب (sari' alghadib)

🇨🇿 popudlivý

🇸🇰 popudlivý

🇨🇳 暴躁 (bàozào)

🇸🇮 razdražljiv

🇮🇸 pirraður

🇰🇿 ашуланшақ

🇬🇪 გაბრაზებული (gabrazebuli)

🇦🇿 əsəbi

🇲🇽 irritable

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,490, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
25487 cabling
25488 nugatory
25489 beautify
25490 petulant
25491 boatswain
25492 penitential
25493 hematologic
...