pettier; pettiest
1
: having secondary rank or importance : minor, subordinate
2
: having little or no importance or significance
3
: marked by or reflective of narrow interests and sympathies : small-minded
Synonyms
Examples of petty in a Sentence
a petty argument about grammar
My behavior was petty and stupid. I apologize.
Recent Examples on the Web
Second-degree trespassing is considered a petty misdemeanor and requires a court appearance, HPD said.
—
Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2024
There were 185 people killed in the city last year, according to data maintained by The Star, most of them shooting victims, in cases that included petty arguments, domestic violence and retaliatory violence.
—Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for petty 
Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2024
There were 185 people killed in the city last year, according to data maintained by The Star, most of them shooting victims, in cases that included petty arguments, domestic violence and retaliatory violence.
—Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for petty
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'petty.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near petty
Cite this Entry
“Petty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petty. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
petty
adjective
pet·ty
ˈpet-ē 
pettier; pettiest
1
: lesser in rank or importance : minor
a petty prince
2
: having little or no importance or meaning
petty details
3
: having or displaying a mean narrow-minded attitude : small-minded
Etymology
Middle English pety "small, minor," an altered form of petit (same meaning), from early French petit "small"
Legal Definition
Biographical Definition
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