Synonyms of wrangle

wrangle 1 of 2

noun

as in dispute

an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions

there was a bit of a wrangle over how much money to give the high school for its sports programs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dispute
• quarrel
• bicker
• fight
• altercation
• disagreement
• controversy
• argument
• squabble
• brawl
• row
• spat
• misunderstanding
• set-to
• imbroglio
• disputation
• tiff
• skirmish
• clash
• falling-out
• debate
• contretemps
• battle royal
• tangle
• feud
• tussle
• cross fire
• donnybrook
• kickup
• scrap
• rhubarb
• argy-bargy
• hassle
• difference
• argle-bargle
• run-in
• protest
• dissention
• logomachy
• contention
• objection
• mêlée
• attack
• vendetta
• fisticuffs
• dissension
• protestation
• fuss
• catfight
• melee
• fray
• fracas
• affray
• free-for-all

wrangle

2 of 2

verb

ˈraŋ-gəl 

as in to bicker

to express different opinions about something often angrily

a town meeting at which local residents wrangled for hours about property taxes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bicker
• argue
• fight
• quarrel
• spat
• clash
• squabble
• dispute
• brawl
• controvert
• scrap
• row
• discuss
• hassle
• debate
• fall out
• quibble
• jar
• altercate
• tiff
• mix it up
• contend
• lock horns
• argufy
• dare
• butt heads
• brabble
• bandy words
• tangle
• contest
• challenge
• defy
• cavil
• object
• kick
• protest
• fuss
• consider
• nitpick

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• get along
• accept
• agree
• coexist
• concur
• consent
• assent

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun wrangle contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of wrangle are altercation, quarrel, and squabble. While all these words mean "a noisy dispute usually marked by anger," wrangle suggests undignified and often futile disputation with a noisy insistence on differing opinions.

wrangle interminably about small issues

When could altercation be used to replace wrangle?

The synonyms altercation and wrangle are sometimes interchangeable, but altercation implies fighting with words as the chief weapon, although it may also connote blows.

a loud public altercation

When can quarrel be used instead of wrangle?

The words quarrel and wrangle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, quarrel implies heated verbal contention, stressing strained or severed relations which may persist beyond the contention.

a quarrel nearly destroyed the relationship

When would squabble be a good substitute for wrangle?

Although the words squabble and wrangle have much in common, 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of wrangle

Noun

It will never be proved quite how much the pressure experienced by Refaat during these wrangles with Egypt’s government contributed to his death, although doctors have since publicly suggested that stress was a factor in his heart problems. —Simon Hughes, The Athletic, 30 July 2024

The development in Florida comes as the Trump administration wrangles with the federal courts. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025

Verb

There’s plenty of outstanding business: Republicans are still wrangling over the bill’s potential effects on rural hospitals and the state and local tax deduction. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 25 June 2025

With schools off the table, politically, Newsom and legislators are wrangling over more contentious issues, particularly the reductions in medical and social services for poor, elderly and disabled Californians that Newsom seeks to close the budget gap. —Dan Walters, Mercury News, 20 June 2025