petty
Focused on trifles
Petty describes things that are small, minor, or of little importance, often with a negative connotation suggesting they don't deserve attention.
A petty theft involves items of low value; petty cash is a small fund for minor expenses.
When applied to people or behavior, petty implies a smallness of character—someone who is petty fixates on trivial slights or engages in spiteful behavior over inconsequential matters.
She's being petty about who said what at the party.
Seeking harm from resentment
- mean-spiritedUnkind in a petty way
- resentfulFeeling lingering ill will
- grudgingReluctant, resentful in giving
- cattySlyly spiteful
snide · backbiting · malicious · bitter · nasty · vengeful · jealous · envious
Of no real importance
- inconsequentialLacking significance or impact
- negligibleToo small to consider
- minorScale with lowered third
- paltryContemptibly meager
piddling · picayune · frivolous · unimportant · insignificant · footling · niggling · fiddling
Narrow in perspective
- provincialRegional or narrow-minded
- myopicUnable to see far
- shortsightedUnable to see ahead
- insularNarrow in outlook
blinkered · narrow · limited · circumscribed · small-minded · sectarian · intolerant · bigoted
Ready spending funds
- theftUnlawful taking of property
- crimePunishable illegal act
- larcenyUnlawful taking of goods
- offenseViolation or umbrage
misdemeanor · infraction · pilfering · shoplifting · swindling · fraud
Childishly bad-tempered
- peevishHabitually fretful
- sulkyMoody and silently resentful
- whinyInclined to complain
- fussyExcessively particular
testy · querulous · snappy · grumpy · touchy · cranky · moody · irascible
Government administrative official
- clerkOffice record-keeper
- functionaryMinor administrative worker
- officialAuthority-sanctioned person or status
- tyrantCruel, absolute ruler
despot · officer · administrator · manager · supervisor · magistrate · constable · warden
vindictive
Seeking harm from resentment
- mean-spiritedUnkind in a petty way
- resentfulFeeling lingering ill will
- grudgingReluctant, resentful in giving
catty · snide · backbiting · malicious · bitter · nasty · vengeful · jealous · envious · scheming
trifling
Of no real importance
- inconsequentialLacking significance or impact
- negligibleToo small to consider
- minorScale with lowered third
paltry · piddling · picayune · frivolous · unimportant · insignificant · footling · niggling · fiddling · immaterial
parochial
Narrow in perspective
- provincialRegional or narrow-minded
- myopicUnable to see far
- shortsightedUnable to see ahead
insular · blinkered · narrow · limited · circumscribed · small-minded · sectarian · intolerant · bigoted · xenophobic
cash
Ready spending funds
offense · misdemeanor · infraction · pilfering · shoplifting · swindling · fraud
petulant
Childishly bad-tempered
fussy · testy · querulous · snappy · grumpy · touchy · cranky · moody · irascible · cross
bureaucrat
Government administrative official
- clerkOffice record-keeper
- functionaryMinor administrative worker
- officialAuthority-sanctioned person or status
tyrant · despot · officer · administrator · manager · supervisor · magistrate · constable · warden
- Insignificant thingstrivial, minor, small, tiny, negligible
- cold-heartedcallous, cold, cold-blooded, cold-hearted, cruel
- criticismcriticism, critique, review, feedback, opinion
- moral judgmentsgood, evil, wicked, virtuous, moral
- selfish traitsselfish, greedy, self-centered, self-absorbed, egotistical
- wickedevil, wicked, villainous, malicious, sinister
pettymagnanimous
Noble and forgiving
generous · noble · big-hearted · gracious · broad-minded
pettysignificant
Having notable importance
important · consequential · momentous · major · serious
pet, petite, pettiness, petty cash, pettiest, pettier, petty officer, petty crime, petty theft