petulant
What does "petulant" mean?
"Petulant" describes someone who is childishly sulky, bad-tempered, or prone to sudden, petty annoyance. The mental image is of a person—often a child or an adult acting like one—who crosses their arms and pouts because they didn't get their way or because a minor inconvenience has disrupted their mood. While similar to "irritable," petulant carries a specific connotation of immaturity and unreasonable behavior. It is frequently used in formal writing to critique someone’s reaction to criticism or disappointment, implying that their frustration is performative or beneath their age level.
"petulant" in conversation
Office disagreement
I asked him to rewrite the intro, and he just rolled his eyes and walked off.
I asked him to rewrite the intro, and he just rolled his eyes and walked off.
He’s being incredibly petulant about the feedback.
He’s being incredibly petulant about the feedback.
Used to describe unprofessional, childish behavior in the workplace.
Discussing a movie character
I couldn't stand the protagonist.
I couldn't stand the protagonist.
Right? His petulant attitude whenever things got tough made him impossible to root for.
Right? His petulant attitude whenever things got tough made him impossible to root for.
Used to describe a character trait that makes someone unlikeable.
"petulant" in a sentence
The child gave a petulant shrug when told it was time for bed.
The child gave a petulant shrug when told it was time for bed.
She grew petulant when the waiter informed her that her preferred table was unavailable.
She grew petulant when the waiter informed her that her preferred table was unavailable.
His petulant refusal to cooperate with the investigation only served to cast further suspicion upon his motives.
His petulant refusal to cooperate with the investigation only served to cast further suspicion upon his motives.
