pettier; pettiest
1
: having secondary rank or importance : minor, subordinate
2
: having little or no importance or significance
3
: marked by or reflective of narrow interests and sympathies : small-minded
Synonyms
Examples of petty in a Sentence
a petty argument about grammar
My behavior was petty and stupid. I apologize.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Rome of Gladiator II is purposefully over the top, using the backdrop of the ancient world as a way to examine how petty people have always been.
—
Esther Zuckerman, TIME, 22 Nov. 2024
Seeing Kwon land a deflating chest kick on Sam, Axel abandons his petty fight with Miguel and shifts his target.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024
Drake also took the opportunity to be petty toward DeMar DeRozan, a member of the Sacramento Kings, former Toronto Raptors star, and his former friend.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2024
There is a long tradition of petty smuggling in the region.
—Ed Caesar, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for petty 
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Esther Zuckerman, TIME, 22 Nov. 2024
Seeing Kwon land a deflating chest kick on Sam, Axel abandons his petty fight with Miguel and shifts his target.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024
Drake also took the opportunity to be petty toward DeMar DeRozan, a member of the Sacramento Kings, former Toronto Raptors star, and his former friend.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2024
There is a long tradition of petty smuggling in the region.
—Ed Caesar, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for petty
Dictionary Entries Near petty
Cite this Entry
“Petty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petty. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
petty
adjective
pet·ty
ˈpet-ē 
pettier; pettiest
1
: lesser in rank or importance : minor
a petty prince
2
: having little or no importance or meaning
petty details
3
: having or displaying a mean narrow-minded attitude : small-minded
Etymology
Middle English pety "small, minor," an altered form of petit (same meaning), from early French petit "small"
Legal Definition
Biographical Definition
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