Etymology
Origin of petulance
First recorded in 1600–10, petulance is from the Latin word petulantia impudence. See petulant, -ance
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Tom has a more pressing motive than soothing petulance over illustrations.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026
Musk’s petulance doesn’t demand a great deal of investigation.
From Barron's • Dec. 8, 2025
"What is obvious to me, they are not acting out of anger or petulance", the ex officer said.
From BBC • Sep. 25, 2023
Raffish Alice and the other women provide welcome respite from Ben’s puerile petulance.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 4, 2023
The man in the yellow suit raised his eyebrows and a nervous petulance came into his voice.
From "Tuck Everlasting" by Natalie Babbit
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
