Petulant — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈpe-chə-lənt/ pet·u·lant

Meaning & Definition of Petulant

Petulant (adjective)

  1. characterized by impatience and grumpy annoyance, irritable; also, suggesting such an emotional state
  2. showing or tending to show an attitude of haughty annoyance

Petulant (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. easily irritated or annoyed

    "a petulant and fussy man who is always blaming everyone else for his problems"

    similar: choleric, crabby, cranky, cross, crotchety, fiery, grouchy, grumpy, irascible, irritable, peevish, perverse, pettish, prickly, quick-tempered, raspy, ratty, short-tempered, snappish, snappy, snarky, snippety, snippy, stuffy, testy, waspish, out of humor, out of sorts
    related: bearish, bilious, cantankerous, cross-grained, curmudgeonly, disagreeable, dyspeptic, ill-humored, ill-natured, ill-tempered, off-color, ornery, querulous, snarly, surly, argumentative, bellicose, belligerent, combative, contentious, disputatious, fractious, fretful, pugnacious, quarrelsome, scrappy, truculent, huffy, pouty, sensitive, short, sulky, sullen, tetchy, thin-skinned, touchy, hot-blooded, passionate
    near: affable, companionable, cordial, extroverted, friendly, genial, gregarious, outgoing, sociable, agreeable, amiable, good-natured, good-tempered, sweet, well-disposed, carefree, easygoing, happy-go-lucky, relaxed, forbearing, long-suffering, obliging, patient, stoic, tolerant, uncomplaining, understanding

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Petulant

The most common words with a similar meaning to Petulant:

choleric, crabby, cranky, cross, crotchety, fiery, grouchy, grumpy, irascible, irritable, peevish, perverse, pettish, prickly, quick-tempered, raspy, ratty, short-tempered, snappish, snappy, snarky, snippety, snippy, stuffy, testy, waspish, out of humor, out of sorts

Related Words for Petulant

bearish, bilious, cantankerous, cross-grained, curmudgeonly, disagreeable, dyspeptic, ill-humored, ill-natured, ill-tempered, off-color, ornery, querulous, snarly, surly, argumentative, bellicose, belligerent, combative, contentious, disputatious, fractious, fretful, pugnacious, quarrelsome, scrappy, truculent, huffy, pouty, sensitive

Near Antonyms of Petulant

affable, companionable, cordial, extroverted, friendly, genial, gregarious, outgoing, sociable, agreeable, amiable, good-natured, good-tempered, sweet, well-disposed, carefree, easygoing, happy-go-lucky, relaxed, forbearing, long-suffering, obliging, patient, stoic, tolerant, uncomplaining, understanding

Word Forms of Petulant

Derived words: petulantly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Petulant

earlier, "immodest, impudent," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "lively, impudent," borrowed from Latin petulant-, petulans "impudent, self-assertive, immodest," perhaps re-formation (as a present participle) of *petulus, adjective derivative of petere "to make for (with hostile intent), seek to" with -ulus, suffix denoting repeated or prolonged action; modern senses (since the 18th century) probably by association with pet:4, pettish feather:1

First known use: 1755

Frequently Asked Questions about Petulant

What does "Petulant" mean?

"Petulant" means characterized by impatience and grumpy annoyance, irritable; also, suggesting such an emotional state. As an adjective, it is defined as: characterized by impatience and grumpy annoyance, irritable; also, suggesting such an emotional state.

What is another word for "Petulant"?

Other words for "Petulant" include choleric, crabby, cranky, cross, crotchety, fiery, grouchy and grumpy. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Petulant" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Petulant"?

There are 66 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Petulant". Common alternatives include choleric, crabby, cranky, cross, crotchety, fiery, grouchy, grumpy, irascible and irritable.

How do you use "Petulant" in a sentence?

Examples of "Petulant" in a sentence: "a petulant and fussy man who is always blaming everyone else for his problems".

Is "Petulant" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Petulant" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Petulant"?

"Petulant" is pronounced /ˈpe-chə-lənt/ and divided into syllables as pet·u·lant.

What is the origin of the word "Petulant"?

"Petulant" comes from earlier, "immodest, impudent," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "lively, impudent," borrowed from Latin petulant-, petulans "impudent, self-assertive, immodest," perhaps re-formation (as a present participle) of *petulus, adjective derivative of petere "to make for (with hostile intent), seek to" with -ulus, suffix denoting repeated or prolonged action; modern senses (since the 18th century) probably by association with pet:4, pettish feather:1. First known use: 1755.

What is another word for "Petulant" meaning "easily irritated or annoyed"?

When "Petulant" (adjective) means easily irritated or annoyed, synonyms include choleric, crabby, cranky, cross, crotchety and fiery.