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
Adjective
The fractious crowd grew violent.
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
But the fractious fights on the right — especially when the president wades into the races — may not be completely solved even when the nominee is selected.
—Stephen Fowler, NPR, 31 May 2026
The last thing Newcastle wanted was a repeat of Alexander Isak’s slow and fractious defection to Liverpool last year.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Much of the story is driven by Anne and Ginny's complicated and fractious relationship, made even more fraught by the elephant in the room of Nick's estate and a brand new baby on the way.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fractious
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.
Adjective
The circumstances surrounding the exits vary, ranging from routine retirements, campus controversies, personal peccadillos, serious health issues, fractious relationships between campus leaders and governing boards, and visions of greener pastures.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
But the fractious fights on the right — especially when the president wades into the races — may not be completely solved even when the nominee is selected.
—Stephen Fowler, NPR, 31 May 2026
The last thing Newcastle wanted was a repeat of Alexander Isak’s slow and fractious defection to Liverpool last year.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Much of the story is driven by Anne and Ginny's complicated and fractious relationship, made even more fraught by the elephant in the room of Nick's estate and a brand new baby on the way.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 28 May 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 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
