pettier

Adjective

petty (comparative pettier or more petty, superlative pettiest or most petty)

1. (derogatory, often) Having little or no importance.
   • a petty fault petty squabbles

   Synonyms:

   base, contemptible, floccinaucinihilipilificatious, foolish, for the birds, futile, frivolous, idle, ignorable, immaterial

   Antonyms:

   big, central, consequential, critical, crucial, epochful, essential, extraordinary, fateful, fatefraught

2. (derogatory, often) Of persons or their behaviour: marked by or reflective of undesirably limited interests, sympathies, or views; begrudging, selfish, small-minded; also, preoccupied with subjects having little or no importance and not mindful of broader concerns.
   • Such literature may well be anathema to those who are too docile and petty for their own good.

   Synonyms:

   grudgeful, grudging

   Antonyms:

   broad-minded

3. (derogatory, informal, often) Inclined to cause frustration or annoyance to others out of spite over minor grievances; extremely vindictive.
   • My cousin is so petty—I forgot his birthday and he's been making snarky comments all week.

   Synonyms:

   avengeful, pluckcrow, revengeful, vengeable, vengeful, vengesome, vindical, vindictive, wreakful

4. (historical) Of or relating to the lowest grade or level of school; junior, primary.
   • Friends are separated for long portions of time even while they live; at last they take their leave for ever: although, I remember, when you left me in the petty form at Westminster, I soon afterwards found you in a higher remove: and this world is only the petty form of the universe; so I not only...1756 June 13, J[ames] M[urphy] French, “[Letters, Correspondence, and Poetry, of James Murphy French.] To Henry Duncombe, Esq.”, in Jesse Foot, The Life of Arthur Murphy, Esq., London: […] [F]or J....
5. (obsolete except in set phrases) Little or small in size.
   • To morrow, and to morrow, and to morrow, / Creepes in this petty pace from day to day, / To the laſt Syllable of Recorded time: / And all our yeſterdayes, haue lighted Fooles / The way to duſty death.c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount...

   Synonyms:

   compact, fun size, fun-sized, ickle, insignificant, lit'l, little, low, modest, mini

   Antonyms:

   ample, big, exceeding, cosmic, bodacious, broad, commodious, considerable, expansive, good-sized

6. (obsolete except in set phrases) Secondary in importance or rank; minor, subordinate.
   • petty cash petty officer

   Antonyms:

   grand, high

See all 10 meanings of petty