Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
petulance
noun
/ˈpɛt.jə.ləns/
Definition
The quality of being petulant; the state of being irritable or moody, often over trivial matters.
Examples
- Her petulance was evident when she didn’t get her way during the meeting.
- The child’s petulance made it hard to enjoy the family outing.
Meaning
Petulance refers to a child’s behavior that is often characterized by impatience or sulkiness, but it can also describe an adult’s unreasoned irritability and anger.
Synonyms
- irritable
- peevish
- sulky
- moody
- cross
