| English Dictionary |
PETULANT
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| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does petulant mean?
• PETULANT (adjective)
The adjective PETULANT has 1 sense:
1. easily irritated or annoyed
Familiarity information: PETULANT used as an adjective is very rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Easily irritated or annoyed
Synonyms:
cranky; fractious; irritable; nettlesome; peckish; peevish; pettish; petulant; scratchy; techy; testy; tetchy
Context example:
not the least nettlesome of his countrymen
Similar:
ill-natured (having an irritable and unpleasant disposition)
Derivation:
petulance (an irritable petulant feeling)
Context examples
Through the half-open door I heard a high, petulant, penetrating voice.
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
"Don't say 'make good,'" she cried, sweetly petulant. "It's slang, and it's horrid."
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
If she had even said 'I hate you' in a petulant or coquettish tone, he would have laughed and rather liked it, but the grave, almost sad, accent in her voice made him open his eyes, and ask quickly...
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
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