Petulant

Petulant is an adjective used to describe a person or behavior that is irritable and ill-tempered, often exhibiting sulkiness over minor disappointments. A petulant reaction tends to be driven by a quick, snappish mood rather than by any sustained anger, and it may express itself through pouty behavior, short replies, or a sharp tone.

In usage, petulant implies a somewhat childish or melodramatic irritability. It suggests not just annoyance, but a tendency to respond with petty, lightning-quick irritability that seems disproportionate to the situation. The term is commonly applied to voices, remarks, or reactions that convey impatience and intolerance rather than calm, constructive response.

Etymology traces petulant to the French pétulant, with roots in the Latin petulans meaning insolent or disagreeable. The word entered English in the late 16th century and has retained a connotation of taunting or peevish behavior that is more about mood and tone than about substantive grievance.

Synonyms include irritable, peevish, sulky, querulous, and testy; antonyms include good-tempered, patient, and placid. In modern writing, petulant is most appropriate for describing brief, minor outbursts or attitudes that reveal a petulant temperament, rather than for long-lasting or severe anger.