petulance

[pech-uh-luh ns]

See more synonyms for petulance on Thesaurus.com

noun

the state or quality of being petulant.
a petulant speech or action.

Origin of petulance

First recorded in 1600–10, petulance is from the Latin word petulantia impudence. See petulant, -ance

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for petulance

irritability, bitterness, cynicism

Examples from the Web for petulance

Contemporary Examples of petulance

Fortunately, Boehner has elected to ignore this display of petulance and continue with his landmark attempt to sue the president.
Why Boehner’s Lawsuit Against Obama Could Work
Ron Christie
July 10, 2014
The 19-year-old pop star, petulance personified, is acting out.
The Epic Justin Bieber Meltdown May Be the Most Worrisome One Yet
Kevin Fallon
January 23, 2014
The line captures the intriguing paradox that is West, a mélange of petulance, bombast, unintentional—or intentional?
Praise ‘Yeezus’: Kanye West’s New Album Is an Eclectic Tour de Force
Marlow Stern
June 15, 2013
Except for a bit of petulance directed toward Stephanopoulos and a bit of pique directed at Huntsman, Romney maintained his cool.
Paul Begala: Mitt Romney’s Competition Folds in New Hampshire Debate
Paul Begala
January 8, 2012

Historical Examples of petulance

"But I can't see——" Aggie began to argue with the petulance of a spoiled child.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
Hagar forgot her petulance, and became curious as any white woman.
Good Indian
B. M. Bower
"I wish I could be as cool-headed as Thomas," she said, with a tinge of petulance.
Good Indian
B. M. Bower
She must have been really kind, for she never resented any petulance or carelessness.
Wilfrid Cumbermede
George MacDonald
The gloom and petulance that had collected upon his countenance were dissipated in a moment.
Imogen
William Godwin

Word Origin and History for petulance

c.1600, "insolence, immodesty," from French pétulance (early 16c.), from Latin petulantia "sauciness, impudence," noun of quality from petulantem (see petulant). Meaning "peevishness" is recorded from 1784, from influence of pettish, etc. It displaced earlier petulancy (1550s).