Word

fractious \FRAK-shuhs\, adjective:

Meaning

1. Tending to cause trouble; unruly.

2. Irritable; snappish; cranky.

Examples

In Marshall's case, the experience of dealing with a clamorous band of younger siblings, earning their affection and respect while holding them to their tasks, proved remarkably useful in later years when dealing with fractious colleagues jealous of their prerogatives.

--Jean Edward Smith, [1]John Marshall: Definer of a Nation

Marcus frequently took a rod to Ambrose's back--with the predictable result of making the boy even more fractious and slow to obey.

--Roy Morris, Jr., [2]Ambrose Bierce: Alone in Bad Company

Fractious heirs drink too much and squabble over dock space for their sailboats.

--Marilyn Stasio, review of Stormy Weather, by Carl Hiaasen, [3]New York Times, September 3, 1995

Extra

Fractious is from fraction, which formerly had the sense "discord, dissension, disharmony"; it is derived from Latin frangere, "to break."

Paragraph

Fractious kids are so common in India. The grandparents are usually the culprits but parents can be equally responsible for this. Grandparents tend to pamper their grandchildren. They generally do not work outside neither at home because of their age. Kids become their only pastime. As parents are busy doing their job and then household chores, the child spends maximum time with his grandparents. He is not allowed to do anything on his own and is given everything that he demands. No wonder we have so many fractious children. Maybe the grandparents need to start thinking about their kids’ welfare.