Synonyms of petulant

petulant

adjective

ˈpe-chə-lənt 

as in irritable

easily irritated or annoyed

a petulant and fussy man who is always blaming everyone else for his problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

• irritable
• fiery
• peevish
• irascible
• snappish
• grumpy
• waspish
• crotchety
• grouchy
• snarky
• pettish
• testy
• crabby
• choleric
• passionate
• cross
• snippy
• cranky
• raspy
• short-tempered
• out of humor
• out of sorts
• stuffy
• sensitive
• perverse
• querulous
• quick-tempered
• prickly
• belligerent
• ratty
• short
• cantankerous
• ornery
• contentious
• surly
• snippety
• bilious
• curmudgeonly
• dyspeptic
• fretful
• disagreeable
• snarly
• pugnacious
• bellicose
• combative
• argumentative
• sulky
• pouty
• truculent
• snappy
• sullen
• ill-tempered
• quarrelsome
• fractious
• tetchy
• ill-humored
• ill-natured
• huffy
• scrappy
• disputatious
• cross-grained
• bearish
• thin-skinned
• off-color
• touchy
• hot-blooded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• friendly
• affable
• outgoing
• cordial
• gregarious
• genial
• amiable
• sweet
• extroverted
• companionable
• sociable
• good-natured
• agreeable
• carefree
• easygoing
• good-tempered
• patient
• relaxed
• stoic
• tolerant
• well-disposed
• long-suffering
• uncomplaining
• forbearing
• understanding
• obliging
• happy-go-lucky

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of petulant

And then in Season 2, that petulant child is ready to quit and throw a hissy fit. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 22 Mar. 2026

Would the petulant, arrogant, all-knowing Donald still have started a war against Iran? —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026

Juvenile bliss had long contoured this abrasive band, whose songs rattled like playgrounds, and whose shouts rang like the peals of petulant children. —Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 17 Mar. 2026

An emotionally unhinged, lewd, and petulant wreck. —Dominick Mastrangelo, The Hill, 16 Mar. 2026

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