fractious adj. + Add to list US //ˈfɹækʃəs// UK //fɹˈækʃəs// frac·tious SynonymsEtymology Synonyms crankyirritablenettlesomepeckishpeevishpettishpetulantrecalcitrantrefractoryscratchyOrigin From fraction (“discord”) (now obsolete) + -ous.