fractious

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "fractious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person or animal that is easily irritated or having a tendency to argue. Example sentence: The fractious toddler threw a tantrum when she couldn't have a cookie.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just ask Jonathan Agnew, the BBC cricket correspondent who courted controversy last week by insinuating Australia had sullied the memory of Phillip Hughes, their late team-mate, by continuing their aggressive approach during the fractious Test series against India.

The Guardian - Sport

A rare note of harmony was sounded at the fractious UN climate change talks in Doha on Thursday, when countries agreed to take strong action on some of the most potent causes of global warming.

The Guardian

Washington DC is already so fractious and petty that if politicians realize they're all part of the big family, that couldn't make things any worse, right?

The Guardian - Opinion

Euromaidan was a delayed echo of the social unrest wave, driven by the country's economic failure; it collided with a diplomatic situation that was already fractious over Syria.

The Guardian - Opinion

The already fractious relationship between the owner and the Ultras seems to have broken down altogether since he agreed to sell Hernanes to Inter in January and Sunday's game was played to a steady backdrop of abuse in his direction.

The Guardian - Sport

The landmark expulsion – confirmed by the senate speaker at 5.42pm after several hours of fractious debate – followed Berlusconi's definitive conviction for tax fraud at his Mediaset television empire on 1 August.

The Guardian

When I sit on a plane and hear a child cry, I don't hear fractious, I hear the music of life".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Why do online spaces often feel so fractious?

The Guardian - Opinion

In a big year for Arthur Miller, Yael Farber's revival gave this flinty, hard-edged study of the Salem witch-hunts a strange dream-like quality and, headed by Richard Armitage and Anna Madeley as the fractious Proctors, showed a community already on the edge of disintegration.

The Guardian

Chelsea's pursuit of their own more glittering prize simply seems more relentless in the aftermath of a victory chiselled from an awkward and fractious occasion.

The Guardian - Sport

While post-industrial Britain is defined by "a more hostile attitude to asset wealth; stronger local identities – which become fractious where the labour market is globalised".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fractious" to describe situations, groups, or individuals prone to disagreement or conflict, particularly when underlying tensions exist.

Common error

Avoid using "fractious" to describe something that is easily broken or physically delicate. "Fractious" refers to irritability and contentiousness, not physical fragility.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fractious" is as an adjective. Ludwig's AI confirms its use in modifying nouns to describe a state of irritability or contentiousness. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate its application in various contexts, such as "fractious debates" or "fractious relationships".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fractious" is an adjective used to describe something or someone prone to irritability or disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for various contexts. It frequently appears in news and media, formal business writing, and scientific articles, with a neutral to formal register. When using the word, remember that it describes irritability and argumentativeness, not physical fragility. The related phrases offer alternatives to express similar meanings, allowing for more nuanced communication. This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of "fractious", enhancing clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irritable

Refers more generally to being easily annoyed or angered.

argumentative

Highlights a tendency to engage in arguments or debates.

quarrelsome

Emphasizes a disposition to engage in quarrels and disputes.

irascible

Suggests a quick temper and proneness to outbursts of anger.

cantankerous

Implies a bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative attitude.

testy

Indicates impatience and a tendency to respond irritably.

contentious

Describes something likely to cause argument; focuses more on the situation.

difficult to manage

Focuses on the challenges posed by someone's behavior or attitude.

unruly

Describes a lack of control or discipline, often in a group.

turbulent

Suggests a state of disturbance, conflict, or disorder.

FAQs

How can I use "fractious" in a sentence?

You can use "fractious" to describe a group or individual prone to arguing or disagreement. For example, "The "fractious debate" continued late into the night".

What are some synonyms for "fractious"?

Synonyms for "fractious" include "irritable", "argumentative", "quarrelsome", and "irascible".

Is "fractious" a formal or informal word?

"Fractious" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it appears more frequently in news and media or formal writing.

What's the difference between "fractious" and "fragile"?

"Fractious" describes someone or something prone to arguing or being difficult, while "fragile" describes something easily broken or damaged.