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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of fractious
In the video, Henderson argues that these out-of-touch views are all around us, widening our class divide and fueling our fractious politics.
—
The Learning Network, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
One thing that remains the same, however, is the fractious nature of Trump’s coalition.
—Aaron Coy Moulton / Made By History, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
Further heavy defeats and fractious relationships with players — and with the club’s technical director Tim Steidten — contributed to Lopetegui’s underwhelming eight-month spell in east London.
—Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
In these increasingly fractious times, nostalgia has been shown to serve as a powerful tool in boosting our wellbeing.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fractious 
The Learning Network, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
One thing that remains the same, however, is the fractious nature of Trump’s coalition.
—Aaron Coy Moulton / Made By History, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
Further heavy defeats and fractious relationships with players — and with the club’s technical director Tim Steidten — contributed to Lopetegui’s underwhelming eight-month spell in east London.
—Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
In these increasingly fractious times, nostalgia has been shown to serve as a powerful tool in boosting our wellbeing.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fractious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fractious
Adjective
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Leonard Peltier, one of the surviving leaders of the American Indian Movement, has been in prison for 50 years following a contentious conviction.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2025
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Coming off a contentious last couple weeks for his film’s awards campaign, Audiard had a more light-hearted opportunity to reflect on his Best Picture nominee.—
Vincent Perella,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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On just his second hole of the day, the 2018 Masters champion teed off at the 12th – renowned for its raucous atmosphere and wild celebrations – with his ball eventually rolling into the cup.—
Ben Morse,
CNN,
14 Feb. 2025
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The overall risk to Ohioans remains low, ODH said, but those in close contact with sick or dead poultry or wild birds should take precautions.—
Shahid Meighan,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Power and independence Musk’s controversial approach to cost cutting has set him apart.—
Zac Anderson,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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In addition, legislators also likely will seek Powell’s views on banking regulation as Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr exits his position and as the Fed retools a controversial set of banking regulation proposals.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But rather the simple act of playing pretend, which, when done in a maximum security prison facility and by men of color specifically, can be a defiant, life-affirming and rehabilitating act in itself.—
Matt Brennan,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2025
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However, just as much as her lyrics speak to the heart, her fashion choices serve as an extension of the same values: freedom, self-empowerment, and a defiant celebration of Blackness.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The wildly rebellious press across Europe are a vibrant sign of its free speech.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN,
14 Feb. 2025
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Luna will meet with rebellious Uranus in a surprising trine, bringing a jolt of excitement and unexpected revelations to your love life.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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All of this runs counter to the narrative — popular among Washington’s chattering class — that a young and restive crop of Democrats is clamoring to scrap the seniority system that’s guided the party’s committee-selection process for years.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
16 Dec. 2024
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While the submarine crew grows restive and their captain lapses into a state of permanent inebriation, across three continents, politics roll on.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Gotthard gave Elizabeth the task of controlling the spoiled, willful, and lazy child.—
Mara Bovsun,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2025
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While the record number of willful, malicious or accidental deaths by firearms peaked in 2021, numbers in 2023 remain higher than averages from nearly 10 years ago.—
Graham P. Johnson,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In response to Kelley calling the union demands unreasonable, Lacey said the president's comments were insulting.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr.,
USA TODAY,
6 Feb. 2025
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The share of frisks and fuller searches complying with the ruling — and the Constitution’s Fourth Amendment guarantee against unreasonable searches and seizures — were lower than the stop numbers.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near fractious
Cite this Entry
“Fractious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fractious. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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