Synonyms for Petty
Definition of petty
adjective
- inferior in rank or status; "the junior faculty"; "a lowly corporal"; "petty officialdom"; "a subordinate functionary"
- (informal) small and of little importance; "a fiddling sum of money"; "a footling gesture"; "our worries are lilliputian compared with those of countries that are at war"; "a little (or small) matter"; "a dispute over niggling details"; "limited to petty enterprises"; "piffling efforts"; "giving a police officer a free meal may be against the law, but it seems to be a picayune infraction"
- contemptibly narrow in outlook; "petty little comments"; "disgusted with their small-minded pettiness"
18 synonyms found
Writing tips for "petty"
Choosing the right synonym depends on context, tone, and audience. Words like fiddling, footling, inferior can replace "petty" depending on the shade of meaning you need. In poetry and songwriting, swapping synonyms lets you match a rhyme scheme or meter without changing your meaning. In prose, varying your word choice avoids repetition and keeps readers engaged.
With 18 alternatives available, "petty" gives you flexibility across registers — from formal to casual, from literary to conversational. Try pairing these synonyms with our rhyme finder to discover words that both mean and sound like what you need.
"Petty" in song lyrics
See how petty is used in real songs:
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"I rock the beat hard, got a blast for the petty"
A.D.O.R. — Enter the Center -
"Dissin those who pose with beef that's petty"
Artifacts — Art of Facts -
"Or die in the streets over somethin' petty"
Beanie Sigel — Die