petulance

noun

pet·​u·​lance ˈpe-chə-lən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being petulant : peevishness

Synonyms

• biliousness
• choler
• crankiness
• crossness
• crotchetiness
• grouchiness
• grumpiness
• huffiness
• irascibility
• irascibleness
• irritability
• irritableness
• peevishness
• perverseness
• perversity
• pettishness
• testiness
• waspishness

Examples of petulance in a Sentence

I do not appreciate your petulance and eagerness to argue.

Recent Examples on the Web

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

There was one flare-up of petulance with 6:53 left in the game. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 27 Feb. 2025

Between Dave’s whiny petulance, Edna’s glum watchfulness and their performative mwah-mwah kisses, this couple is a walking talking warning sign. —Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

And Monday night’s show of frustration and occasional petulance at Stamford Bridge was precisely the kind of example Pereira does not need from a player supposed to set an example for others to follow. —Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

petulance

noun

pet·​u·​lance ˈpech-ə-lən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being petulant