Which word characterizes someone who is easily irritated or annoyed?

The term that best characterizes someone who is easily irritated or annoyed is "fractious." This word is commonly used to describe individuals who are irritable, quarrelsome, or prone to causing discord. In many contexts, such as in discussions about behavior or temperament, "fractious" conveys the idea of someone who is difficult to manage or control due to their propensity for complaining or being upset.

The other choices do not align with this meaning. "Fracas" refers to a noisy disturbance or quarrel, which relates more to events rather than personal irritability. "Froward" denotes being difficult to deal with in terms of behavior but lacks the specific emphasis on irritability. Meanwhile, "feckless" describes someone who is ineffective or lacking in initiative and does not convey a sense of irritability or annoyance. Therefore, "fractious" is the most accurate choice for describing someone who is easily irritated or annoyed.