Find the synonyms or antonyms of a word



Antonyms for petulant


Grammar : Adj
Spell : pech-uh-luhnt
Phonetic Transcription : ˈpɛtʃ ə lənt



Definition of petulant

Origin :
  • 1590s, "immodest, wanton, saucy," from Middle French petulant (mid-14c.), from Latin petulantem (nominative petulans) "wanton, froward, saucy, insolent," present participle of petere "to attack, assail; strive after; ask for, beg, beseech" (see petition (n.)). Meaning "peevish, irritable" first recorded 1775, probably by influence of pet (n.2). Related: Petulantly.
  • adj crabby, moody
Example sentences :
  • "I sha'n't tell you," came the petulant retort from the girl.
  • Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana
  • She shrugged her shoulders with a petulant pessimism her youth made amusing.
  • Extract from : « Quaint Courtships » by Various
  • Are you mistress of the petulant, the peevish, and the sullen tone?
  • Extract from : « Tales And Novels, Volume 4 (of 10) » by Maria Edgeworth
  • For the first time, too, there was a petulant vein in his attitude toward me.
  • Extract from : « In the Valley » by Harold Frederic
  • Smiled, and made him ashamed of his petulant gift there, before them.
  • Extract from : « Poems » by William D. Howells
  • "Ruth Morton won't last," remarked a third, in a petulant voice.
  • Extract from : « The Film of Fear » by Arnold Fredericks
  • A voice, a petulant female voice, called from the head of the stairs.
  • Extract from : « The Rise of Roscoe Paine » by Joseph C. Lincoln
  • His voice was squeaky and petulant, like that of a child who is suddenly forbidden a toy.
  • Extract from : « Where Angels Fear to Tread » by E. M. Forster
  • Her own words had been little more than a petulant outburst.
  • Extract from : « Love-at-Arms » by Raphael Sabatini
  • Sally shrugged her shoulders with the petulant gesture of a naughty child.
  • Extract from : « The Dominant Strain » by Anna Chapin Ray

Synonyms for petulant

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