1
as in contentious
given to disagreement or irritation
At the end of what was a fractious campaign, the two former rivals were surprisingly able to settle some of their differences and work together.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wild
difficult to manage or control
Security guards were overwhelmed by the fractious crowd at the concert.
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fractious
Such occasions traditionally prompt a cease-fire in America’s fractious political wars, as the nation’s leaders pause to remember and bid farewell to one of their own.
—
Natasha Frost, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
There are also doubts about the ability of House Speaker Mike Johnson (or anyone else who might take his place) to manage a fractious caucus with a narrow majority.
—Neil Irwin, Axios, 19 Dec. 2024
Throughout the funding process, Johnson has struggled to make his razor-thin and fractious majority happy.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 18 Dec. 2024
How much, in these fractious and deeply polarized times, are voters willing to look past party labels?
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fractious 
Natasha Frost, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
There are also doubts about the ability of House Speaker Mike Johnson (or anyone else who might take his place) to manage a fractious caucus with a narrow majority.
—Neil Irwin, Axios, 19 Dec. 2024
Throughout the funding process, Johnson has struggled to make his razor-thin and fractious majority happy.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 18 Dec. 2024
How much, in these fractious and deeply polarized times, are voters willing to look past party labels?
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fractious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fractious
Adjective
-
The loud and contentious debate about whether Indiana and SMU deserved CFP at-large bids overshadowed the reality of postseason football in both college and the NFL.—
Scott Dochterman,
The Athletic,
18 Jan. 2025
-
President Joe Biden prioritized student loan forgiveness during his term, introducing broad and contentious programs—challenged by his opponents in the courts—to relieve people of large chunks of their college debt.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The South is being targeted by a major winter storm, most of the nation remains gripped by brutal cold, and high winds threaten to fan the flames of killer blazes in Southern California on Tuesday as the U.S. grapples with wild winter weather.—
John Bacon,
USA TODAY,
21 Jan. 2025
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Targets Birthright Citizenship Her first foster pair of bald eagle chicks arrived in 1976, having been removed from their wild parents’ nest in Wisconsin.—
GrrlScientist,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Several House and Senate Democrats supported the passage of the Laken Riley Act despite the bill’s controversial measures.—
Stuart Anderson,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
-
The Cubs kept his access time brief, knowing he would be asked about the controversial subject.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Weakened, isolated but defiant: Hamas faces a crossroads with the cease-fire.—
Patrick Kingsley,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2025
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But the political chaos provoked by the Dec. 3 martial law declaration is expected to continue, as Yoon and his ruling party supporters remain defiant against the insurrection charges.—
Se Eun Gong,
NPR,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The proposals infuriated members of the Freedom Caucus, many of whom had engaged in those kind of rebellious actions over the past two years.—
Emily Brooks,
The Hill,
21 Jan. 2025
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With a rebellious edge, the cocktail is yet another offering in the non-to-low alcohol space from an established brand that is changing how consumers look at a rapidly expanding space.—
Hudson Lindenberger,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite American claims that the attack on Bud Dajo would pacify the restive Moros, the unrest continued.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
-
But the raid is also shining a spotlight on the Palestinian Authority’s ability to impose order and security in a restive area.—
Majdi Mohammed and Tia Goldenberg,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Announced With Imminent Launch Ahead Of 2025 Season Eventually, a plea deal was arranged, with Devine acknowledging his willful failure to pay these essential taxes.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
18 Jan. 2025
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According to reports, Rocko, born Rodney Ramone Hill Jr., was arrested last month and charged with disorderly conduct, misdemeanor willful obstruction of law enforcement officials, and criminal trespass.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Reddit Reacts Reddit users supported OP, pointing out the unreasonable nature of the neighbor's behavior.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
-
The question the Supreme Court will consider Wednesday is whether courts can look at everything that happened during the 2016 traffic stop in determining if the officer can be tried for unreasonable force under the Fourth Amendment.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA TODAY,
22 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near fractious
Cite this Entry
“Fractious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fractious. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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