pettier; pettiest
1
: having secondary rank or importance : minor, subordinate
2
: having little or no importance or significance
3
: marked by or reflective of narrow interests and sympathies : small-minded
Synonyms
Examples of petty in a Sentence
a petty argument about grammar
My behavior was petty and stupid. I apologize.
Recent Examples on the Web
There is a long tradition of petty smuggling in the region.
—
Ed Caesar, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
Despite the emotional celebration, the Raptors’ Global Ambassador still had some petty energy to put into the air.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 4 Nov. 2024
Tren de Aragua is best known for petty crimes, such as retail theft, and for targeting other Venezuelan migrants.
—Ignacio Calderon, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024
The knifes range from the wee (petty and paring knives) to the grand (cleavers and vegetable knives).
—Scott Hocker, theweek, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for petty 
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Ed Caesar, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
Despite the emotional celebration, the Raptors’ Global Ambassador still had some petty energy to put into the air.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 4 Nov. 2024
Tren de Aragua is best known for petty crimes, such as retail theft, and for targeting other Venezuelan migrants.
—Ignacio Calderon, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024
The knifes range from the wee (petty and paring knives) to the grand (cleavers and vegetable knives).
—Scott Hocker, theweek, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for petty
Dictionary Entries Near petty
Cite this Entry
“Petty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petty. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
petty
adjective
pet·ty
ˈpet-ē 
pettier; pettiest
1
: lesser in rank or importance : minor
a petty prince
2
: having little or no importance or meaning
petty details
3
: having or displaying a mean narrow-minded attitude : small-minded
Etymology
Middle English pety "small, minor," an altered form of petit (same meaning), from early French petit "small"
Legal Definition
Biographical Definition
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