factious

(făk'shəs)
adj.

1. Of, relating to, produced by, or characterized by internal dissension.
2. Given to or promoting internal dissension. See synonyms at insubordinate.

factiously fac'tious·ly adv.
factiousness fac'tious·ness n.

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Factious means 'characterized by faction or dissension', as in factious quarrelling, whereas factitious means 'contrived, artificial', as in factitious reasoning; both words are related to Latin facere 'to do' but there is no overlap in meaning. Fractious has nothing to do with either but is sometimes confused with factious; it means 'irritable, peevish', as in a fractious child. In the following sentence factious is presumably the word intended:

In this chapter we have traced the fractious history of relations between ethnic groups in America and the larger 'races' which encompass these—R. Singh, 2003.

See also fictional, fictitious.

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adj

Definition: conflicting, warring
Antonyms: agreeing, cooperating, cooperative, peaceful, united

inclined to form factions: seditious

IN BRIEF: adj. - Dissenting (especially dissenting with the majority opinion).

Tutor's tip: The collector made a "factious" (quarrelsome) remark to the "fatuous" (silly, inane) shopkeeper who tried to sell her a "factitious" (lacking authenticity) antique with a "fictitious" (invented) history.

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See words rhyming with "factious."