Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of petulant During his rise to fame in the Eighties, Val Kilmer garnered a reputation among his peers and the media as a brooding young actor who was often petulant on set. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2025 Even Pontius seems to have dropped his petulant glare for the time being. Scott Tobias, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025 The Associated Press and Reuters, two of the largest and most respected worldwide news agencies, were blocked from covering President Donald Trump’s petulant confrontation with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Feb. 28. Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2025 During his rise to fame in the Eighties, Val Kilmer garnered a reputation among his peers and the media as a brooding young actor who was often petulant on set. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for petulant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for petulant
Adjective
  • The crew is under the supervision of the capable Mensah (Noma Dumezweni) who is prone to panic attacks as the group visits an irritable planet at the behest of The Corporation — a powerful business conglomerate where profit is indeed king.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 May 2025
  • It’s said to cause people to become irritable, aggravate health problems, and abrade mechanical devices.
    Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • Ethan just held onto a plane in mid-air, beat the bad guy, and defeated a god-like artificial intelligence averting the fiery nuclear death of all humanity.
    James Grebey, Vulture, 23 May 2025
  • Adding a salt rim elevates your glass, but for a spicy kick, use Halo Del Santo, a cocktail garnish made with salt, fiery chiles and a touch of citrus.
    Jeanette Hurt, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Petulant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/petulant. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on petulant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!