Petulant
adjective
A person showing a bad-tempered or childish attitude, especially when they do not get what they want.
He gave a petulant reply when his plans were rejected.
Often appears as...
- petulant child
- petulant response
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
A person showing a bad-tempered or childish attitude, especially when they do not get what they want.
He gave a petulant reply when his plans were rejected.
Often appears as...
- petulant child
- petulant response
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Describes negative behavior or attitude, potentially seen as rude or spoiled.
Her petulant outburst made everyone uncomfortable.
Pro Tip 2/3Grown-ups Too
Not just for kids; adults can be labeled 'petulant' when acting childishly.
The meeting ended with a petulant slamming of doors.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Charge
Use 'petulant' to describe emotional reactions, not logical ones.
His petulant refusal to cooperate was visibly emotional.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Describes negative behavior or attitude, potentially seen as rude or spoiled.
Her petulant outburst made everyone uncomfortable.
Pro Tip 2/3Grown-ups Too
Not just for kids; adults can be labeled 'petulant' when acting childishly.
The meeting ended with a petulant slamming of doors.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Charge
Use 'petulant' to describe emotional reactions, not logical ones.
His petulant refusal to cooperate was visibly emotional.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Describes negative behavior or attitude, potentially seen as rude or spoiled.
Her petulant outburst made everyone uncomfortable.
Pro Tip 2/3Grown-ups Too
Not just for kids; adults can be labeled 'petulant' when acting childishly.
The meeting ended with a petulant slamming of doors.
Pro Tip 3/3Emotional Charge
Use 'petulant' to describe emotional reactions, not logical ones.
His petulant refusal to cooperate was visibly emotional.
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Quote examples
Rory Bremner
British Comedian
When I first met Tony Blair in 1996, he was open and idealistic, keen to bring a breath of fresh air to government. But something happened - was it just the arrogance of power? - that narrowed Labour's vision from purposeful reform and investment, to peevish and petulant pragmatism.
Quote examples
Jenna Fischer
American Actress
Well, I don't know if this is true of everyone, but I have this relationship with my parents where, despite however mature or articulate or grown-up I think I've become, as soon as I go home, I turn into this petulant 13-year-old, especially with the tone of my voice.
Quote examples
Steve Bruce
English Manager
When I was younger, I was a bit awkward to work for, hence why I had about five clubs in two years. I was a bit petulant, shall we say. But you're never too old to keep learning because every day in management, something is thrown at you which throws you a curveball.
Quote examples
Carl Frampton
Irish Boxer
Joe Gallager's like a petulant child sometimes. In press conferences, for instance, when we're talking, he's rolling his eyes like a schoolgirl, pretending he's not listening. It's disrespectful and I don't like that.
Quote examples
Heather Mac Donald
American Editor
Feminists declare that men and women are equal in all respects. They petulantly decry any atavistic male courtesy towards females as a relic of a still oppressive patriarchal culture.
Quote examples
Bill Pullman
American Actor
We've seen with Brexit and other things that there's a dark impulse to be petulant and frustrated with complicated solutions.
Quote examples
F. Scott Fitzgerald
American Author
The faces of most American women over thirty are relief maps of petulant and bewildered unhappiness.
Quote examples
Freddie Fox
English Actor
I enjoyed throwing the toys out of the pram, although not in a petulant way.
Quote examples
Rory Bremner
British Comedian
When I first met Tony Blair in 1996, he was open and idealistic, keen to bring a breath of fresh air to government. But something happened - was it just the arrogance of power? - that narrowed Labour's vision from purposeful reform and investment, to peevish and petulant pragmatism.
Quote examples
Jenna Fischer
American Actress
Well, I don't know if this is true of everyone, but I have this relationship with my parents where, despite however mature or articulate or grown-up I think I've become, as soon as I go home, I turn into this petulant 13-year-old, especially with the tone of my voice.
Quote examples
Steve Bruce
English Manager
When I was younger, I was a bit awkward to work for, hence why I had about five clubs in two years. I was a bit petulant, shall we say. But you're never too old to keep learning because every day in management, something is thrown at you which throws you a curveball.
Quote examples
Carl Frampton
Irish Boxer
Joe Gallager's like a petulant child sometimes. In press conferences, for instance, when we're talking, he's rolling his eyes like a schoolgirl, pretending he's not listening. It's disrespectful and I don't like that.
Quote examples
Heather Mac Donald
American Editor
Feminists declare that men and women are equal in all respects. They petulantly decry any atavistic male courtesy towards females as a relic of a still oppressive patriarchal culture.
Quote examples
Bill Pullman
American Actor
We've seen with Brexit and other things that there's a dark impulse to be petulant and frustrated with complicated solutions.
Quote examples
F. Scott Fitzgerald
American Author
The faces of most American women over thirty are relief maps of petulant and bewildered unhappiness.
Quote examples
Freddie Fox
English Actor
I enjoyed throwing the toys out of the pram, although not in a petulant way.
Example 1 of 8
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