factious

adjective

fac·​tious ˈfak-shəs How to pronounce factious (audio)
: of or relating to faction: such as
a
: caused by faction
factious disputes
b
: inclined to faction or the formation of factions
c
factiously adverb
factiousness noun

Examples of factious in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Sinn Fein appears on track to claim the top spot in elections in Northern Ireland on Thursday, marking the first time a party devoted to the unification of Ireland, north and south, would dominate in the region that remains a factious member of the United Kingdom. Washington Post, 2 May 2022 There was an illusion of solidarity—really the underlying current was entirely factious. The New Yorker, 23 May 2022 Just like that, a factious age of political gridlock and a problematic romance are born. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2021 The road back to a united nation will be paved with virtuous acts of a virtuous people who act independently in both deeds and thoughts from the factious fanatics. Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2021 Mr Morsi and his allies never got a grip on Egypt’s factious state. The Economist, 17 June 2019 Even after successive purges, the administration remains leaky and factious. Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, 25 Sep. 2018 The more fractured and factious this country becomes, the more a play like Mrs. Harrison will matter. Jim Rutter, Philly.com, 9 May 2018 Parscale himself is not without critics in Trump’s factious political circle. Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'factious.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French factieux, borrowed from Latin factiōsus "busy, having powerful connections, of a faction, turbulent," from facti- (extracted from factiōn-, factiō "social set, group, faction") + -ōsus -ous

First Known Use

circa 1527, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of factious was circa 1527

Dictionary Entries Near factious

Cite this Entry

“Factious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/factious. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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