petulant

Pronunciation: adjective. Synonyms: peevish, cross, irascible

adjective

Difficulty: intermediate

Definition of petulant

Irritable, impatient, or childishly sulky, especially when reacting to trivial matters or minor annoyances.

Origin of petulant

Language of origin: Latin

Root word: petulans

Original meaning: impudent, forward, or wanton

How it evolved: Originally meaning 'impudent' or 'wanton,' the word narrowed its focus to describe irritability or childish sulkiness over time.

The word 'petulant' originated in the late 16th century, initially meaning 'immodest or wanton,' before evolving to signify 'irritable' or 'childishly sulky.'

First known use: 1590s

How to Remember petulant

Imagine a PET who is ULTRA moody, whining and sulking over every little thing — PET + ULTRA + ANT = PETULANT.

Synonyms for petulant

Antonyms of petulant

  • amiable
  • affable
  • cordial
  • composed
  • cheerful

petulant in a Sentence

  1. The petulant child crossed his arms and pouted when he wasn't allowed to stay up late, much to his parents' exasperation.
  2. Her petulant remarks during the meeting revealed her inability to handle constructive criticism with grace.
  3. After losing the debate, he stormed out of the room in a petulant huff, unwilling to accept defeat graciously.

petulant in Literature & Culture

The term 'petulant' frequently appears in literature and critiques to describe characters who are overly sensitive or prone to emotional outbursts, such as in Jane Austen's novels or contemporary psychological dramas.

Usage Notes

Although 'petulant' is often used to describe children, it is not limited to them; it can also describe adults behaving immaturely. It carries a mildly negative connotation, emphasizing irritability over trivial matters.

Why petulant Matters for GRE & SAT

This word is important for the GRE because it tests your understanding of nuanced emotional descriptions and connotations, a common feature of advanced vocabulary questions.

Word Family

petulantly (adverb)
In an irritable or childishly sulky manner.
petulance (noun)
The quality of being childishly sulky or bad-tempered.

Did You Know?

  • The word 'petulant' was once used in the 17th century to mean 'wanton' or 'forward,' a connotation that has faded over time.
  • Famous author F. Scott Fitzgerald used 'petulant' in his works to describe characters who were prone to moodiness or emotional outbursts.
  • The word is often associated with depictions of spoiled or entitled behavior, making it a common descriptor in literature and film.

More Vocabulary Words Starting with P

  • pacify — bring peace to or calm someone down
  • pacify — bring peace to or calm someone down
  • painstaking — Done with or employing great care and thoroughness
  • painstaking — done with careful attention to detail
  • painstaking — done with careful attention to detail
  • palpable — tangible, perceptible, or clearly noticeable
  • palpable — So intense as to seem almost tangible
  • palpable — tangible, perceptible, or clearly noticeable
  • paltry — of little monetary worth; trivial
  • paltry — of little monetary worth; trivial