petulance

[ pech-uh-luh ns ]

/ ˈpɛtʃ ə ləns /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR petulance ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the state or quality of being petulant.

a petulant speech or action.

RELATED WORDS

irritability, bitterness, cynicism

Nearby words

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

"No, I won't drink that stuff," I replied, with all the petulance and ill-humour traditionally allowed a star.
Tramping on Life|Harry Kemp
Outside the sun was warm, the flood was calling from the dam, and the boy's petulance was gone at once.
The Last Stetson|John Fox Jr.
Her face, unpainted, was pale, an expression of petulance discernible.
The Three Black Pennys|Joseph Hergesheimer
One look at the face of heaven and earth lays all petulance at rest, and soothes us to wiser convictions.
Essays, Second Series|Ralph Waldo Emerson
Every old man complains of the growing depravity of the world, of the petulance and insolence of the rising generation.
The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D., in Nine Volumes, Volume the Second|Samuel Johnson

Word Origin and History for petulance

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).