petulance

What does “petulance” mean?

noun.the quality of being childishly sulky or bad-tempered.

SAT Usage

this term often appears in passages discussing emotional maturity or interpersonal conflicts, emphasizing a negative, immature reaction to disappointment or frustration. It implies a lack of self-control and an inability to cope with adversity, distinguishing it from similar terms like "irritability," which may not convey the same sense of childishness or pettiness.

Common Confusions

Petulance implies a childish and sulky temperament in response to frustration, while irritability usually suggests a broader, more general tendency to become easily annoyed without the specific connotation of immaturity.

Example Sentences

• His petulance when he lost made others reluctant to play with him.

• Her success was largely due to her petulance and determination.