petulant

This term describes a specific brand of irritability that feels immature or disproportionate to the cause. It evokes the image of a temper tantrum, where the frustration is expressed through pouting, whining, or abrupt gestures rather than reasoned argument. It is typically used to criticize someone's lack of emotional maturity. While similar to "irritable" or "testy," petulant carries a stronger connotation of childishness. It suggests a person who is reacting like a spoiled child, making it a highly judgmental descriptor often used in literary contexts or formal critiques of behavior.