Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In a petulant manner: with petulance; with peevish or impatient abruptness or rudeness; with ill-bred pertness.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adverb In a petulant manner.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb In a manner expressing irritation or annoyance.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb in a petulant manner

Etymologies

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Examples

  • That he did so predictably petulantly is disappointing, if not hugely surprising.

    Five things we learned from the Premier League this weekend Barry Glendenning 2010

  • She called petulantly after her retreating caller.

    Little Miss By-The-Day Lucille Van Slyke

  • While he stated "petulantly" that he was no longer interested in an anticipated invitation to the White House, "Saleh's mood changed noticeably for the better when the invitation was extended" by Brennan, the cable said.

    Cables show obstacles with Yemeni leader Karen DeYoung 2010

  • a cluster of stunted pines, a long-crested jay lilted about and called petulantly, until I came near, when he swung across the cañon, and I saw him no more.

    Birds of the Rockies 1896

  • Marcia, "petulantly," has left me to bear all things alone.

    The Silver Butterfly Wilson Woodrow 1902

  • "If you want to know," petulantly, "the one I'm worried about is Anahita.

    The Satanic Verses Rushdie, Salman 1967

  • It is not my fault, "petulantly," that I am only seventeen. "

    Vagabondia 1884 Frances Hodgson Burnett 1886

  • He also writes, petulantly, that it was his belief that this story was to be about his return to a place he first loved at 19.

    “Essential to Myth”; or, All Publicity Is Good Publicity 2009

  • So this is what we have come to: the president of the United States, and not just any president but the World's Greatest Orator, standing in the White House petulantly reproving his partisan opponents and imploring his supporters: "If you want a balanced approach to reducing the deficit, let your member of Congress know."

    President Dangerfield James Taranto 2011

  • He may not be doing what we all want, but at least he isn't petulantly babbling about joe six pack, and threatening to take his airfield and go home.

    More Obama 2009

Comments

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  • moved to or showing sudden, impatient irritation, esp. over some trifling annoyance: a petulant toss of the head.

    March 18, 2009

  • "My cat likes peeing on people," said Tom petulantly.

    March 18, 2009