fractious
adjective
frac·tious
ˈfrak-shəs 
1
: tending to be troublesome : unruly
a fractious crowd
2
: quarrelsome, irritable
a fractious political campaign
fractiously
adverb
fractiousness
noun
Did you know?
The Latin verb frangere means "to break or shatter" and is related to a few common words, which is evident in their meanings. Dishes that are fragile break easily. A person whose health is easily broken might be described as frail. A fraction is one of the many pieces into which a whole can be broken. But fraction also once meant "disharmony" or "discord"—that is, a "rupture in relations." From this noun sense came the adjective fractious.
Examples of fractious in a Sentence
The fractious crowd grew violent.
Recent Examples on the Web
Even within Israel's fractious and divided political system, there was a line that could not be crossed.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Johnson has had to navigate small margins in a fractious conference over the last two years.
—Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2025
But not even the incoming president can count on 100% support from Republican lawmakers all the time, not even in the fractious House.
—W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 Jan. 2025
Monica owns Quartermaine Mansion, is former chief of staff of General Hospital, and is known for her enduring and often fractious relationship with ex-husband Alan (Stuart Damon).
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 24 Jan. 2025
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Johnson has had to navigate small margins in a fractious conference over the last two years.
—Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2025
But not even the incoming president can count on 100% support from Republican lawmakers all the time, not even in the fractious House.
—W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 Jan. 2025
Monica owns Quartermaine Mansion, is former chief of staff of General Hospital, and is known for her enduring and often fractious relationship with ex-husband Alan (Stuart Damon).
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for fractious
Dictionary Entries Near fractious
Cite this Entry
“Fractious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fractious. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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