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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wild
difficult to manage or control
Security guards were overwhelmed by the fractious crowd at the concert.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fractious
In these increasingly fractious times, nostalgia has been shown to serve as a powerful tool in boosting our wellbeing.
—
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
How will the deal play out in Israel’s fractious politics?
—Asher Kaufman, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025
Lopetegui explained his absence was due to a minor knock, but their relationship was fractious, according to people close to the players.
—Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
That means every bill Republicans pass will need nearly unanimous support from his famously fractious conference.
—New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for fractious 
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
How will the deal play out in Israel’s fractious politics?
—Asher Kaufman, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025
Lopetegui explained his absence was due to a minor knock, but their relationship was fractious, according to people close to the players.
—Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
That means every bill Republicans pass will need nearly unanimous support from his famously fractious conference.
—New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for fractious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fractious
Adjective
-
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
-
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
Adjective
-
The fact that goalie masks still have this individuality to put creativity and color that doesn’t even necessarily match is wild to me.—
Jesse Granger,
The Athletic,
21 Jan. 2025
-
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
-
Less controversial are interventions tailored to communities.—
Amy Maxmen | KFF Health News,
ABC News,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
In hindsight the music was invincible: defiant, purposeful, rightfully confident in its breakthroughs.—
Jon Pareles,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2025
-
But the former Fox News host struck a defiant tone as support for his confirmation appeared to be in doubt and Mr. Trump stood behind his pick.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Saturn, the planet of structure and discipline, adds a sense of responsibility while rebellious Uranus, the planet of innovation and change, inspires this Air sign to think outside the box and embrace individual freedom.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
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
-
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
-
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 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share