petulance

[ pech-uh-luhns ]

noun

1. the state or quality of being petulant.
2. a petulant speech or action.

Word History and Origins

Origin of petulance¹

First recorded in 1600–10, petulance is from the Latin word petulantia impudence. See petulant, -ance

Example Sentences

Adding carefully that although this might sound like “a piece of feminist petulance” to some, Morgan hoped to convince her readers that her semantic point vitiated much of the “speculation” concerning the evolutionary origins of humanity.

From Nautilus

For the past four years, during Rico’s steady ascent to national stardom, some have heard her charismatic petulance as a punk-rock echo, and that’s one way to calibrate your ears to her musical nya-nya.

From Washington Post

Fortunately, Boehner has elected to ignore this display of petulance and continue with his landmark attempt to sue the president.

From The Daily Beast

The 19-year-old pop star, petulance personified, is acting out.

From The Daily Beast

The line captures the intriguing paradox that is West, a mélange of petulance, bombast, unintentional—or intentional?

From The Daily Beast

Except for a bit of petulance directed toward Stephanopoulos and a bit of pique directed at Huntsman, Romney maintained his cool.

From The Daily Beast

Perry gave petulance a whole new universe of meaning, and was so personal with Romney he lost the crowd.

From The Daily Beast

Quick, nervous, and lithe in his movements, the natural petulance of his disposition manifested itself in his every gesture.

From Project Gutenberg

Petulance and a false notion of dignity led them to neglect their duty to their country and their party.

From Project Gutenberg

Margaret, who neither wanted sense nor feeling, wiped her tears hastily, and asked her patroness's forgiveness for her petulance.

From Project Gutenberg

"Of course we shall," said May, with a suspicion of petulance.

From Project Gutenberg

A university training does not necessarily transform petulance into ripe wisdom.

From Project Gutenberg