fractious
adjective
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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
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 8 Aug. 2024
While many of the new gun owners are obtaining their guns legally, experts worry that the spread of even more firearms will make the nation more deeply entrenched in the problems that come with a highly fractious society with too many guns.
—Marin Cogan, Vox, 5 Aug. 2024
But the big four Korean music-talent agencies may have also created problems through their own fractious corporate behavior.
—Patrick Frater, Variety, 26 July 2024
The immediate virtual unity among the ordinarily fractious Democratic Party behind Vice President Kamala Harris as Biden’s replacement.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 23 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for fractious 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fractious.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Fractious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fractious. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
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