wrangle

1 of 2

verb

wran·​gle ˈraŋ-gəl 

wrangled; wrangling ˈraŋ-g(ə-)liŋ 

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

wrangle

2 of 2

noun

1

: an angry, noisy, or prolonged dispute or quarrel

2

: the action or process of wrangling

Synonyms

Verb

• bicker
• argue
• fight
• quarrel
• spat

Noun

• dispute
• quarrel
• bicker
• fight
• altercation
• disagreement
• controversy
• argument
• squabble

Choose the Right Synonym for wrangle

quarrel, wrangle, altercation, squabble mean a noisy dispute usually marked by anger.

quarrel implies heated verbal contention, stressing strained or severed relations which may persist beyond the contention.

a quarrel nearly destroyed the relationship

wrangle suggests undignified and often futile disputation with a noisy insistence on differing opinions.

wrangle interminably about small issues

altercation implies fighting with words as the chief weapon, although it may also connote blows.

a loud public altercation

squabble stresses childish and unseemly dispute over petty matters, but it need not imply bitterness or anger.

a brief squabble over what to do next

Examples of wrangle in a Sentence

Verb

They were wrangling over money.

He made a living wrangling horses.

Noun

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Being a Snake Wrangler Professional guidance on snake wrangling emphasizes calmness, control and minimizing harm to both the snake and humans. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025

Emmet Sheehan wasn’t able to wrangle Mookie Betts’ throw that would have completed a double play. —Levi Weaver, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025

Noun

The decision was the latest skirmish in a years-long political and legal wrangle over voting requirements for local tax increase proposals. —Dan Walters, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025

The decision was the latest skirmish in a years-long political and legal wrangle over voting requirements for local tax increase proposals. —Dan Walters, Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English; akin to Old High German ringan to struggle — more at wring

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for wrangle

• angle
• bangle
• dangle
• jangle
• mangle
• strangle
• tangle
• disentangle
• entangle
• quadrangle
• triangle
• untangle

Kids Definition

wrangle

1 of 2 verb

wran·​gle ˈraŋ-gəl 

wrangled; wrangling -g(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to have an angry quarrel

2

: to take part in an argument

3

: to herd and care for livestock and especially horses on the range

wrangle

2 of 2 noun

: an angry, noisy, or lengthy dispute or quarrel