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FRACTIOUS

Pronunciation (US):

Dictionary entry overview: What does fractious mean?

• FRACTIOUS (adjective)
The adjective FRACTIOUS has 3 senses:

1. stubbornly resistant to authority or control
2. easily irritated or annoyed
3. unpredictably difficult in operation; likely to be troublesome

Familiarity information: FRACTIOUS used as an adjective is uncommon.

Dictionary entry details

• FRACTIOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

fractious ^{[BACK TO TOP]}

Meaning:

Stubbornly resistant to authority or control

Synonyms:

fractious; recalcitrant; refractory

Context examples:

a fractious animal that would not submit to the harness / a refractory child

Similar:

disobedient (not obeying or complying with commands of those in authority)

Sense 2

fractious ^{[BACK TO TOP]}

Meaning:

Easily irritated or annoyed

Synonyms:

tetchy; testy; techy; petulant; pettish; peevish; irritable; peckish; nettlesome; scratchy; fractious; cranky

Context examples:

an incorrigibly fractious young man / not the least nettlesome of his countrymen

Similar:

ill-natured (having an irritable and unpleasant disposition)

Sense 3

fractious ^{[BACK TO TOP]}

Meaning:

Unpredictably difficult in operation; likely to be troublesome

Context examples:

rockets were much too fractious to be tested near thickly populated areas / fractious components of a communication system

Similar:

difficult; hard (not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure)

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