Petty-mindedness

Petty-mindedness refers to a narrowness of thought, a preoccupation with trivial details and insignificant matters, and a tendency to be small-spirited or mean. It manifests as an excessive focus on minor faults, rules, or personal slights, often leading to a lack of generosity, empathy, or broader perspective. Individuals exhibiting petty-mindedness might be overly critical, hold grudges, or dwell on insignificant inconveniences, ultimately hindering their ability to appreciate the larger picture or engage in meaningful relationships. It underscores a constricted worldview, lacking depth and compassion. It demonstrates a lack of magnanimity, a failure to rise above small grievances.

Petty-mindedness meaning with examples

• Her petty-mindedness was on full display when she complained for an hour about the barista adding one too many ice cubes to her iced latte. This fixation on such a minor detail overshadowed the fact that she was enjoying a pleasant morning. It ultimately detracted from her overall experience and created an unnecessary negative situation.
• The manager’s petty-mindedness regarding office supplies, strictly rationing paperclips and staples, demoralized the team and created a sense of stinginess. It made employees feel unappreciated and undervalued, making it difficult to concentrate on their jobs. This focus on small details overshadowed larger operational issues.
• Despite her obvious talent, his petty-mindedness about the correct font size in her reports stalled her promotion. He focused on minute details and insignificant concerns, completely ignoring her overall contributions. The lack of perspective impeded professional growth and created unnecessary tension.
• His petty-mindedness manifested in a series of passive-aggressive comments about his neighbor's lawn, constantly finding faults and imperfections. This negativity caused unnecessary conflict and tension within the community. This narrow focus prevented peaceful interaction.
• The political debate was quickly derailed by petty-mindedness, with each candidate focusing on irrelevant personal attacks instead of addressing important policy issues. These shallow arguments eroded the public’s trust and undermined the political process, ignoring the real issues that mattered most.