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 of wrangle

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

But despite those approvals, Paramount spent weeks over the summer wrangling with Bonta and applying political pressure. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

The Florida Highway Patrol was called to duty to help wrangle a stray emu Saturday after reports of the flightless bird walking along Polk Parkway near Lakeland. — Keily Alfonzo, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

Noun

Working with her friend and employer Sam (Sharlene Whyte), a boundary-free partnership that zags between deal points and Sam’s marital woes, Alex wrangles author egos and fends off competitors. — Alison Herman, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026

Students spend mornings at camp working in math circles, then gather for a wrangle, during which each team defends its math circle answer and challenges other teams’ solutions. — Liz Wegerer, IEEE Spectrum, 31 Aug. 2026

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