pettish

[ pet-ish ]

adjective

1. petulantly peevish:

   a pettish refusal.

pettish

/ ˈpɛtɪʃ /

adjective

1. peevish; petulant

   a pettish child

Derived Forms

• ˈpettishly, adverb
• ˈpettishness, noun

Other Words From

• pettish·ly adverb
• pettish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pettish¹

First recorded in 1585–95; pet ², -ish ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of pettish¹

C16: from pet ²

Example Sentences

Harrumphing and sneering as the Primms’ pettish downstairs neighbor, Gelman grates.

From Seattle Times

It led many longtime Jewish Labour stalwarts to quit the Party, and it was italicized by many instances of Corbyn tolerating acts or statements indifferent to or hostile to Jews, and by his pettish refusal to offer an apology that was not self-evidently forced and reluctant.

From The New Yorker

The same temptation is evident when Alter defends God’s words after he has allowed all of Job’s children to be murdered as part of what amounts to a pettish bet with the Adversary, Satan.

From The New Yorker

On an international stage, Pence made America look small with his pettish behavior.

From New York Times

Netanyahu’s campaign advertisements, on the other hand, cast the prime minister as the only adult in a collapsing coalition government filled with pettish, quarrelsome kindergarteners — more fodder for “A Wonderful Land.”

From Washington Post

Related Words

• delicate
• dicey
• hypersensitive
• jumpy
• precarious
• risky
• sensitive
• testy
• ticklish
• tricky
• uptight
• volatile