petulant
Meaning: Childishly sulky or bad-tempered, especially when not getting one's own way.
Petulant specifically implies immaturity — the kind of irritability associated with a spoilt child rather than with genuine grievance. It is a powerful word in political and sports commentary because it reduces the subject's behaviour to childishness. Common collocations include 'petulant outburst,' 'petulant gesture,' and 'petulant refusal.' The word always carries a dismissive, critical tone.
Examples
- The striker's petulant kick at the advertising hoarding earned him a yellow card and widespread criticism. 那名前锋赌气地踢了一脚广告牌,因此获得一张黄牌并遭到广泛批评。La patada petulante del delantero a la valla publicitaria le valió una tarjeta amarilla y una amplia reprobación.そのストライカーが広告看板を苛立ちまぎれに蹴ったことでイエローカードを受け、広く批判された。그 공격수가 짜증에 못 이겨 광고 간판을 발로 찬 행위로 옐로카드를 받고 광범위한 비난을 받았다.
- Ministers described the opposition's walkout as a petulant gesture that served no constructive purpose. 部长们将反对派的退场称为一种任性的姿态,毫无建设性目的。Los ministros calificaron la retirada de la oposición como un gesto petulante que no servía a ningún propósito constructivo.閣僚たちは野党の退席を、建設的な目的を何も果たさない子供じみた行為だと評した。각료들은 야당의 퇴장을 건설적인 목적이 전혀 없는 유치한 행동이라고 묘사했다.
- When the proposal was rejected, he reacted with a petulant sulk that lasted the remainder of the meeting. 当提案被否决后,他以一种孩子气的闷闷不乐作为回应,持续了整个会议的余下时间。Cuando la propuesta fue rechazada, reaccionó con un enfurruñamiento petulante que duró el resto de la reunión.提案が却下されると、彼は会議の残り時間中ずっと続く子供っぽいすねた態度で反応した。제안이 거부되자, 그는 회의가 끝날 때까지 계속된 어린아이 같은 삐침으로 반응했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: media, general, professional
Tone: negative
Origin & History
From Latin petulant- (impudent), from petulans (forward, insolent), possibly related to petere (to seek, attack). Entered English in the late 16th century, originally meaning impudent before narrowing to its modern sense of childish bad temper.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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