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Antonyms for pettish


Grammar : Adj
Spell : pet-ish
Phonetic Transcription : ˈpɛt ɪʃ



Definition of pettish

Origin :
  • 1550s, "impetuous," evidently from pet (n.2) in its "ill humor" sense + -ish. Meaning "peevish, easily annoyed" is from 1590s.
  • It has naturally been assoc. with PET sb.1, as being a characteristic habit of a "pet" or indulged and spoiled child; but the connexion of sense is not very clear or simple .... [OED]
  • Related: Pettishly; pettishness.
  • As in quarrelsome : adj being disagreeable
  • As in touchy : adj easily offended
  • As in cross : adj very angry; in a bad mood
  • As in disagreeable : adj bad-tempered, irritable
  • As in fractious : adj grouchy, cross
  • As in grumpy : adj in a bad mood
  • As in huffy : adj angry, in a bad mood
Example sentences :
  • Nor was there in this her conclusion anything of chagrin, or pettish self-humiliation.
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • She threw it down upon the table with a pettish gesture that was wholly feminine.
  • Extract from : « Good Indian » by B. M. Bower
  • “But you know I go to sleep when I am rocking,” said Tessa, in pettish remonstrance.
  • Extract from : « Romola » by George Eliot
  • Now, Margaret, do not be pettish, and deny yourself what you know you like best.
  • Extract from : « Deerbrook » by Harriet Martineau
  • Mr. Haydon affected not to see the pettish act, but turned to his companion.
  • Extract from : « That Girl Montana » by Marah Ellis Ryan
  • Polly laughed, and did the same, feeling sorry she had been so pettish.
  • Extract from : « Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag VI » by Louisa M. Alcott
  • And he left the house in sorrow, and just, but not pettish, indignation.
  • Extract from : « A Simpleton » by Charles Reade
  • Frank thrust out one hand and gave the animal a pettish push.
  • Extract from : « Old Mr. Wiley » by Fanny Greye La Spina
  • Ephraim was always gentle, even when I was pettish and cross.
  • Extract from : « The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 20, No. 122, December, 1867 » by Various
  • She was such a very baby, with her ready blushes and her pettish, lovely face.
  • Extract from : « Vagabondia » by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Synonyms for pettish

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019