Petulant
Irritable or easily annoyed; displaying ill humor and a tendency to snap at others.
adjectivePetulant
Irritable or easily annoyed; displaying ill humor and a tendency to snap at others.
adjectiveImagine This
There is a "pet-you-lent" shop where you can rent a pet of your choice for a fee. Since the pets switch from home to home, they do not get the proper treatment and love compared to ordinary pets. As a result, the pets in the shop are always ill-tempered!
Sounds Like
PEH-too-luhnt
Looks Like
peevish, petty
Remember This
Petulant describes behavior (outbursts, irritability) that is self-centered and immature; it implies childish irritability rather than a serious temper.
Other Forms
Connect With
irritable, peevish, ill-tempered, sulky, waspish
Note
Common misuse: don't confuse petulant with merely cranky or angry; petulant emphasizes childish irritability and a quick, spiteful temper.