factious
adjective
fac·tious ˈfak-shəs 
: of or relating to faction: such as
a
: caused by faction
factious disputes
b
: inclined to faction or the formation of factions
c
: seditious
factiously adverb
factiousness noun
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web There was an illusion of solidarity—really the underlying current was entirely factious. 
The New Yorker, 23 May 2022 Just like that, a factious age of political gridlock and a problematic romance are born. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2021 The road back to a united nation will be paved with virtuous acts of a virtuous people who act independently in both deeds and thoughts from the factious fanatics. Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2021 Mr Morsi and his allies never got a grip on Egypt’s factious state. The Economist, 17 June 2019 Even after successive purges, the administration remains leaky and factious. Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, 25 Sep. 2018 The more fractured and factious this country becomes, the more a play like Mrs. Harrison will matter. Jim Rutter, Philly.com, 9 May 2018 Parscale himself is not without critics in Trump’s factious political circle. Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2018 Having an example of successful moderation from a community as large and factious as Reddit may make the case that other sites can intervene successfully. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 27 Sep. 2017 See More
The New Yorker, 23 May 2022 Just like that, a factious age of political gridlock and a problematic romance are born. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2021 The road back to a united nation will be paved with virtuous acts of a virtuous people who act independently in both deeds and thoughts from the factious fanatics. Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2021 Mr Morsi and his allies never got a grip on Egypt’s factious state. The Economist, 17 June 2019 Even after successive purges, the administration remains leaky and factious. Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, 25 Sep. 2018 The more fractured and factious this country becomes, the more a play like Mrs. Harrison will matter. Jim Rutter, Philly.com, 9 May 2018 Parscale himself is not without critics in Trump’s factious political circle. Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2018 Having an example of successful moderation from a community as large and factious as Reddit may make the case that other sites can intervene successfully. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 27 Sep. 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French factieux, borrowed from Latin factiōsus "busy, having powerful connections, of a faction, turbulent," from facti- (extracted from factiōn-, factiō "social set, group, faction") + -ōsus -ous
First Known Use
circa 1527, in the meaning defined above
factious
adjective
as in disunited
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- disunited
- cohesionless
- divided
- fractionated
- balkanized
- split
- fractionalized
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unanimous
- undivided
- united