Querulous

Pronunciation: /ˈkwɛrʊləs/

adjective

Difficulty: Advanced

Definition of Querulous

Complaining in a petulant or whining manner; habitually dissatisfied.

Origin of Querulous

Language of origin: Latin

Root word: querulus

Original meaning: complaining

From Latin "querulus" meaning "complaining," from "queri" (to complain)

How to Remember Querulous

Sounds like "QUARREL-ous" — someone always ready to quarrel and complain about everything.

Synonyms for Querulous

  • complaining
  • petulant
  • whiny
  • fretful
  • peevish
  • grumbling

Antonyms of Querulous

  • content
  • uncomplaining
  • stoic
  • patient
  • agreeable

Querulous in a Sentence

  1. The querulous customer demanded to speak with every manager in the store.
  2. His querulous tone made it difficult for coworkers to collaborate with him.
  3. The querulous child refused to eat anything placed in front of her.

Usage Notes

Describes a habitual complainer, not someone with a single justified complaint. Implies the complaints are petty or excessive.

Why Querulous Matters for GRE & SAT

Appears in GRE Sentence Equivalence questions. Often paired with peevish, petulant, or cantankerous. Contrasts with stoic or sanguine.

Word Family

querulously (adverb)
in a querulous manner
querulousness (noun)
the quality of being querulous
  • petulant
  • irascible
  • qualitative — Relating to the quality or character of something rather than its quantity
  • qualm — a feeling of apprehension or doubt
  • quandary — a dilemma; a difficult decision or situation
  • quantitative — Relating to or measured by the quantity of something
  • quarantine — place into isolation to prevent the spread of any contagious disease

More Vocabulary Words Starting with Q

  • qualitative — Relating to the quality or character of something rather than its quantity
  • qualitative — Relating to the quality or character of something
  • qualitative — Relating to the quality or character of something rather than its quantity
  • qualm — a feeling of apprehension or doubt
  • qualm — a feeling of apprehension or doubt
  • quandary — a dilemma; a difficult decision or situation
  • quandary — a dilemma; a difficult decision or situation
  • quantitative — Relating to or measured by the quantity of something
  • quantitative — Relating to, measuring, or measured by quantity
  • quarantine — place into isolation to prevent the spread of any contagious disease