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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 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 Known as a progressive voice on that often-fractious body, Chan is now looking to take her approach national in the rare opening for the congressional seat. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 1 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
  • The union planned to conclude a contentious bargaining period with Stellantis on Friday.
    — Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • When the parents are suspected of child abuse, Norway's powerful child protection services gets involved and takes the five kids away, including a baby, and kicks off a long and contentious legal process that takes a toll on Mihai and Lisbet.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of contentious
Adjective
  • With how the current postseason schedule is set up, the Jays could get through a wild-card round and five-game series with just three starters.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Inspired by real events, the six-parter centers on the first criminal investigation in Spain into the killing of a wild animal, following the death of bear Cachou in the Pyrenees’ Aran Valley in 2020.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of wild
Adjective
  • Charlotte is primed to revive the controversial Interstate 77 South toll lane project, but a couple of pivotal swing voters on the City Council remain undecided.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Much like Arya killing the Night King, Bran Stark becoming king of Westeros remains a random and highly controversial choice nearly a decade since the ending of Game of Thrones.
    — Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of controversial
Adjective
  • Within 48 hours after Scott’s death, a photo of Winston — shirtless and defiant — made international news.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Teams — worried about how a politically defiant Black quarterback on the roster would impact their bottom lines — over the next several seasons signed dozens of inferior quarterbacks to round out their depth charts.
    — Mike Jones, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of defiant
Adjective
  • Twenty-nine years have passed since then, yet the memory of the princess—an empathetic woman who defied convention, vulnerable yet rebellious, and imbued with a profound humanity—remains vivid and very much alive in the eyes of the entire world.
    — Laura Scafati, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Next month, broader audiences will discover Halkias’s rebellious brand of humor with Uncle Stav, his latest Netflix standup special, a follow-up to 2023’s Fat Rascal.
    — Jonathan Borge, InStyle, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of rebellious
Adjective
  • Midterm elections are historically challenging for a president’s party as restive voters seek change.
    — Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Pakistani security forces killed 48 militants in a series of raids on hideouts in the country's restive southwest over the past 72 hours, the military said Friday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of restive
Adjective
  • Judge Darren Steele said the state amended a charge of willful, wanton reckless driving – second offense, adjudication of guilt that carried a $1,000 fine.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, citizenship may be revoked if it was illegally procured or obtained through the concealment of a material fact or willful misrepresentation.
    — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of willful
Adjective
  • The engineer abruptly resigned after refusing to contribute to a reckless corporate competition that could ultimately lead to uncontrollable AI.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Tail Town abides by that policy and aims to educate people about uncontrollable factors that could spook a cat outdoors like cars, dogs and wildlife.
    — Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of uncontrollable

Browse Nearby Words

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fractious
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Cite this Entry

“Fractious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fractious. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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