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
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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
Their journey from a fractious dynamic and rocky road to fraternal camaraderie was rooted in the fact that Shawn grew up in poverty, facing constant adversity, while Jack grew up in a stable household without wants.
—
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026
However, the scenario has prompted a cross section of the typically fractious party to unite behind the belief the field must shrink, whether by candidates’ choice or through pressure.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Politics in Chicago can be fierce and fractious.
—Scott Simon, NPR, 21 Feb. 2026
But few have attracted as much scrutiny – or commentary – as Gu at a time when the US and China are in an increasingly fractious geopolitical rivalry.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
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Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026
However, the scenario has prompted a cross section of the typically fractious party to unite behind the belief the field must shrink, whether by candidates’ choice or through pressure.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Politics in Chicago can be fierce and fractious.
—Scott Simon, NPR, 21 Feb. 2026
But few have attracted as much scrutiny – or commentary – as Gu at a time when the US and China are in an increasingly fractious geopolitical rivalry.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fractious
Cite this Entry
“Fractious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fractious. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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