petty

[pet-ee] / ˈpɛt i /

ADJECTIVE

trivial, insignificant

Synonyms

STRONGEST

frivolous lesser minor narrow-minded

STRONG

base inessential inferior junior light little lower peanut scratch secondary shallow shoestring slight small subordinate trifling

WEAK

casual cheap contemptible inconsequent inconsiderable irrelevant measly negligible nickel-and-dime niggling paltry penny-ante pettifogging picayune piddling shabby small-minded two-bit unimportant

Antonyms

STRONGEST

greater major

STRONG

big enormous first-class first-rate great huge immense important large significant superior

WEAK

consequential necessary prominent useful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In 1921, a series of petty crimes swept through Southampton, England.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Drake turns the frigid, isolated mansion rap that’s become his trademark toward relitigating the last half-decade of petty squabbles and minor slights.

From Salon • May 21, 2026

OpenAI counters that Musk, who is now also an AI player with xAI, is motivated by petty revenge, having failed to seize majority control.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

Most of Haymon’s 26-year legal career has been in the public defender’s office, handling juvenile and adult cases that range from petty theft to homicide.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

Besides—it sounded petty but it was true—Henry was Julian’s favorite.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Vocabulary lists containing petty

"Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare, Act I

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I Am Malala

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