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

As minority leader, Caldwell will steer an at-times fractious caucus whose members are outnumbered nearly 2-to-1 by their Democratic colleagues. —Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025

In a fractious corner of Europe where political stability and uncertainty are often the norm, these and other filmmakers continue to propel regional cinema to new heights. —Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025

The 2018 trial led to a fractious battle between the Chuschagasta and Amín’s colleagues, with character witnesses brought in to suggest the entrepreneurs had no intention of taking lives. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025

Growth is sluggish, politics are fractious, and debt levels are high. —Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

fract(ion) (in sense "rupture, discord, breach of the peace") + -ious (after captious, factious)

First Known Use

1714, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fractious

• factious

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!