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
Examples of petty in a Sentence
a petty argument about grammar
My behavior was petty and stupid. I apologize.
Recent Examples on the Web
The lives of these accomplished, seemingly independent women revolve around men, petty antics and low-stakes squabbles.
—
Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 May 2025
But the most powerful response isn’t rage or petty retaliation.
—Suneeta Motala, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
The arguments are petty, low-stakes, and borderline juvenile.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 25 May 2025
Xiong has no other convictions, besides two petty misdemeanor traffic violations.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for petty
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Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 May 2025
But the most powerful response isn’t rage or petty retaliation.
—Suneeta Motala, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
The arguments are petty, low-stakes, and borderline juvenile.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 25 May 2025
Xiong has no other convictions, besides two petty misdemeanor traffic violations.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for petty
Cite this Entry
“Petty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petty. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
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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