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querulous

adjective

/ˈkwɛr(j)ʊləs/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of querulous

Habitually complaining or grumbling, often in a peevish or petulant manner.
"The querulous child whined and complained about every small inconvenience."

Detailed meaning of querulous

Such people tend to find faults in almost everything and have a tendency to grumble about minor issues. They can come across as irritable and annoying to others, as their negative disposition can be draining to be around. A querulous person may nitpick or find fault in even the most benign situations, and their complaints can be either trivial or significant. This kind of behavior can be indicative of underlying stress or anxiety, and it can also be a learned habit that is difficult to break. Overall, the word 'querulous' is used to describe someone who habitually expresses their discontent in a peevish or fretful way.

The word "querulous" comes from the Latin word "querela" meaning "complaint" or "grievance." It implies a person who is always unhappy, dissatisfied and finding faults with others or situations.

Example sentences containing querulous

1. The querulous tone of his voice hinted at his dissatisfaction.
2. Her querulous comments about the restaurant ruined our evening.
3. A querulous child sat in the backseat, incessantly asking, "Are we there yet?".
4. His querulous nature often led to disagreements during group projects.
5. Despite the positive feedback, she only focused on the querulous remarks.
6. Even amidst the cheer, his querulous demeanor stood out.

History and etymology of querulous

The adjective 'querulous' has its etymological origins in Latin. It is derived from the Latin word 'querulus,' which is formed from 'queri,' meaning 'to complain' or 'to lament.' Therefore, 'querulous' etymologically signifies a disposition inclined toward complaining or lamenting. Over time, it has come to describe individuals who are habitually prone to complaining or grumbling, often in a peevish or petulant manner. The etymology of 'querulous' emphasizes the notion of an enduring tendency to voice complaints or grievances, highlighting a disposition characterized by chronic dissatisfaction.

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Further usage examples of querulous

1. A querulous bird kept chirping, disrupting the peaceful morning.
2. Her querulous attitude made team collaboration quite challenging.
3. I couldn't help but notice the querulous expression on his face.
4. The meeting ended with a querulous debate over budget allocations.
5. Their normally jovial neighbor had recently become quite querulous.
6. Being constantly surrounded by querulous coworkers was draining.
7. The querulous old man complained about everything, from food to weather.
8. His querulous nature wasn't appreciated in the otherwise positive environment.
9. I attempted to cheer her up, but she remained querulous.
10. Despite the challenges, we couldn't afford to become querulous.
11. He has a querulous way of asking questions, which sometimes annoys his classmates.
12. The querulous tone in her email didn't go unnoticed.
13. The incessant, querulous meowing from the cat indicated its displeasure with the new diet.
14. A querulous voice echoed through the hall, highlighting the discontent.