fractious

adjective

Definition of fractiousnext
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.

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2
as in wild
difficult to manage or control Security guards were overwhelmed by the fractious crowd at the concert.

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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 The rules come after years of delay and fractious debates over affordability, landscaping and fire risk. — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026 While sometimes fractious in the past, the Canadian federation of provinces is increasingly united in the face of international uncertainty. — Control Risks, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Although his conservative flank has a lock on power, Roberts himself has less sway than ever over an increasingly fractious Court. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 Trump has had a fractious relationship for some time with Lula's administration, which has opposed him on numerous policies, particularly in the Western Hemisphere regarding Venezuela and Cuba. — ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fractious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fractious
  1. contentious
  2. wild
  3. controversial
  4. defiant
  5. rebellious
  6. restive
  7. willful
  8. uncontrollable
Adjective
  • Data centers have emerged as a key, contentious campaign issue in Florida’s elections as the industry increasingly looks to Florida as one of its next frontiers.
    — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The billionaire tax fight grew more contentious last month after the lead proponent of the measure, SEIU UHW President Dave Regan, was accused of harassing female colleagues and threatening other union leaders to urge them to back the measure.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of contentious
Adjective
  • That set the stage for a strange wild-card game against Philadelphia in which the Eagles built a 51-7 lead and held on despite the Lions scoring 30 points down the stretch.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Close to 10,000 fans who plunked down $10 a ticket on Saturday to essentially witness a glorified practice at the Sixers’ home arena went wild for James' debut.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of wild
Adjective
  • Much of that flood of silicon is going to the data centers that are popping up all over and are increasingly controversial as AI prepares to remake the economy, work, life and thought.
    — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Now those tensions threaten to ignite once more following a provocative celebration by one of Haiti’s star players as his controversial remarks and the fallout inject fresh friction into the relationship.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of controversial
Adjective
  • Roy Cosby is charged with terroristic threats, defiant trespass, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
    — Jennifer Borrasso, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Messi’s quiet reserve, so at odds with Maradona’s defiant swagger, fueled doubts about his patriotism.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of defiant
Adjective
  • The collection’s attempt at provocation was perhaps best illustrated by a top with underboob exposure that seemed intended to signal a rebellious edge but came across as little more than an ill-fitting garment in search of a point of view.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Now, Pugh has entered the chat with the most rebellious version yet.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of rebellious
Adjective
  • Pakistani security forces killed five militants in an intense shootout and freed 23 hostages in the country’s restive southwest, the military said Sunday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Midterm elections are historically challenging for a president’s party as restive voters seek change.
    — Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of restive
Adjective
  • The law permits the government to seek denaturalization when citizenship was illegally obtained or secured through concealment of a material fact or willful misrepresentation.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
  • In an act of something like willful, somewhat disturbing friendliness, or a desire not to have to deal with Leo the next time he’s locked out, Clive makes a copy of Leo’s key and installs a lock box by his door.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of willful
Adjective
  • DeStefano kicked into a quasi-rock groove on acoustic guitar, and the guys launched into a chorus about shaking off uncontrollable hassles and restoring positivity.
    — Tom Roland, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Improving resource allocation via unification reduces the impact of uncontrollable disruptions, so airlines don’t pay the cost of fragmentation.
    — Abha Dogra, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of uncontrollable

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Cite this Entry

“Fractious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fractious. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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