wrangle
1wran·gle
verb \ˈraŋ-gəl\wran·gledwran·gling \-g(ə-)liŋ\
Definition of WRANGLE
intransitive verb
1
: to dispute angrily or peevishly : bicker
2
: to engage in argument or controversy
transitive verb
1
: to obtain by persistent arguing or maneuvering : wangle
2
[back-formation from wrangler] : to herd and care for (livestock and especially horses) on the range
Examples of WRANGLE
- They were wrangling over money.
- He made a living wrangling horses.
Origin of WRANGLE
Middle English; akin to Old High German ringan to struggle — more at wring
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to WRANGLE
2wrangle
nounDefinition of WRANGLE
1
: an angry, noisy, or prolonged dispute or quarrel
2
: the action or process of wrangling
Examples of WRANGLE
- They had a bitter wrangle over custody of their children.
- <there was a bit of a wrangle over how much money to give the high school for its sports programs>
First Known Use of WRANGLE
15th century
Related to WRANGLE
- Synonyms
- altercation, argle-bargle [chiefly British], argy-bargy [chiefly British], battle royal, bicker, brawl, contretemps, controversy, cross fire, disagreement, dispute, donnybrook, falling-out, fight, hassle, imbroglio, kickup, misunderstanding, quarrel, rhubarb, row, scrap, set-to, spat, squabble, tiff, argument
See Synonym Discussion at quarrel
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