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petulant — childishly sulky or bad-tempered

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: childishly sulky or bad-tempered

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈpetʃələnt/

Example Sentences

  • The CEO's petulant refusal to listen to feedback made the meeting very awkward.
  • When the Wi-Fi went down, Mark became as petulant as a toddler denied candy.
  • Her petulant sighs during the lecture made it clear she didn't want to be there.

petulant

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈpetʃələnt/]

childishly sulky or bad-tempered

The petulant prince throws his crown when denied more dessert at the royal banquet.
💡 Concept

The petulant prince throws his crown when denied more dessert at the royal banquet.

Pet, you lant! - Kid throws tantrum at lazy pet
🧠 Mnemonic

Pet, you lant! - Kid throws tantrum at lazy pet

The petulant boss ignores his consultant
🎵 Rhyme

The petulant boss ignores his consultant

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈpetʃələnt/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈpetjʊlənt/

🌳Etymology

Rootpet-
Suffix--ulant

Origin

From Latin 'petulans' meaning 'impudent' or 'forward,' which may derive from 'petere' meaning 'to rush at' or 'to seek.' The word entered English in the 16th century to describe someone prone to childish irritability.

Breakdown

petul- (Latin root meaning 'impudent/forward') + -ant (English suffix meaning 'prone to' or 'characterized by') = petulant (prone to childish sulkiness)

🎵Rhyme

consultant
resultant

🔗Collocations

petulant child
petulant behavior
petulant tone
become petulant
petulant response
petulant mood

📝Examples

“The CEO's petulant refusal to listen to feedback made the meeting very awkward.”

😄 Fun example

“When the Wi-Fi went down, Mark became as petulant as a toddler denied candy.”

“Her petulant sighs during the lecture made it clear she didn't want to be there.”

😄 Fun example

“The cat gave a petulant meow when I moved it from my warm laptop keyboard.”

📚Related Words

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