petulant
/ˈpɛtjələnt/
Group 17Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Childishly sulky or bad-tempered GRE
Example in Context
The executive's petulant response to legitimate questions from shareholders did little to inspire confidence in his leadership.
Synonyms
whinygrumpyirritable
Etymology
Impatience leads to childish sulkiness, often seen in petulant behavior.
- petulans (Latin) — impatient
Memory Aid
🐶Sounds like “pet you lent”
The PET you LENT is sulking in the corner, throwing a tantrum like a PETULANT child!
Visual Association
😠A child pouting dramatically with crossed arms, refusing to play.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “petulant” mean on the GRE?
petulant (adjective) means “Childishly sulky or bad-tempered”. The executive's petulant response to legitimate questions from shareholders did little to inspire confidence in his leadership.
How to remember “petulant” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “petulant” sounds like “pet you lent”. The PET you LENT is sulking in the corner, throwing a tantrum like a PETULANT child!
What are synonyms for “petulant”?
Common synonyms: whiny, grumpy, irritable.