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
The sight of the crown prince warmly greeting Zelenskyy contrasted sharply with the images from a fractious White House meeting that went around the world, presenting the crown prince as a statesmanlike figure.
—
Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, The Conversation, 14 Mar. 2025
Before his fractious meeting with Zelensky, Trump had intended to sign mineral resources deal with the Ukrainian leader so that the US could recoup some of the cost of its aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 6 Mar. 2025
Their distaff rock peers the Runaways were given the Hollywood biopic treatment, and the notoriously fractious Go-Go’s continued to build their brand with a Broadway musical and documentary.
—Bob Mehr, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2025
Trump ended the fractious meeting by angrily stalking out.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fractious
Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, The Conversation, 14 Mar. 2025
Before his fractious meeting with Zelensky, Trump had intended to sign mineral resources deal with the Ukrainian leader so that the US could recoup some of the cost of its aid to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 6 Mar. 2025
Their distaff rock peers the Runaways were given the Hollywood biopic treatment, and the notoriously fractious Go-Go’s continued to build their brand with a Broadway musical and documentary.
—Bob Mehr, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2025
Trump ended the fractious meeting by angrily stalking out.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fractious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fractious
Adjective
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The Keller school board has reversed course on a contentious proposal to split the district in two after backlash including, among other reactions, allegations and lawsuits related to possible violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act.—
Cody Copeland and,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Mar. 2025
-
The scene turned so contentious and hostile that security had to escort Edwards from the building.—
Lalee Ibssa,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Night 2 also offered a fresh addendum to an existing favorite piece of animation: their signature skeleton’s wild chopper ride.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
22 Mar. 2025
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New Zealand winemakers have experimented with different styles of Sauvignon Blanc, including oak aging, barrel fermentation, and wild/natural fermentation, among other things, providing a broader range of styles to meet diverse consumer preferences.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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He is also known as the controversial and brash leader who despised idleness and, after creating a monarchy in Haiti in 1811, eventually suffered a tragic end.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Andrew and Tristan Tate are facing charges in both Romania and the U.K. 1 Comments Andrew Tate and his younger brother, Tristan Tate, have gone from controversial Internet personalities to accused international criminals.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Related article Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers make defiant speech after winning best documentary Oscar For Ballal, the assault – and Netanyahu’s moves – are even more of a reason to continue to fight for his community.—
Kareem Khadder,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2025
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Two months into his term, President Trump is growing more defiant, creative and ruthless in his pursuit of a central campaign promise: exacting revenge on his political enemies.—
Zachary Basu,
Axios,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Stefani’s style influences and stage presence have long catered to a rebellious punk-forward aesthetic.—
WWD Staff,
WWD,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Still retaining the playful, rebellious connotations of the first M.A.D. Editions, the new M.A.D. 2 has another spirit. Passport: Explore the finest destinations and experiences around the world in the Forbes Passport newsletter.—
Roberta Naas,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
But Huntington was trying to account for the third-world basket cases of his time—poor countries whose restive masses kept their governments constantly off-balance.—
Moisés Naím,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2025
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At the time, Moscow and Washington jockeyed for influence in a swathe of restive African lands, including Mozambique, Angola, Namibia and ultimately South Africa.—
Alan Cowell,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The distinction between willful and non-willful noncompliance is crucial because willful violations carry substantially higher penalties and potential criminal liability.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.D.,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Teixeira pleaded guilty last March to six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information under the Espionage Act, following his arrest in the most consequential national security breach in years.—
Danielle Wallace,
Fox News,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The words were harsh but the logic was not unreasonable.—
George Caulkin,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
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This would not be an unreasonable proposition, considering the U.S. already pledged a security guarantee to Ukraine upon its return of all nuclear warheads to Russia by 1996, based on the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances.—
Seung-Whan Choi,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fractious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fractious. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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