wrangle 1 of 2

wrangle

2 of 2

verb

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of wrangle
Noun
The development in Florida comes as the Trump administration wrangles with the federal courts. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025 While the former is filled with hope, the latter is more spiritual and wrangles with the unknown. Derek Scancarelli, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
The chair comes fully assembled in the box, so there's no need to wrangle with any tools or parts before kicking back and relaxing. Jacqueline Tempera, People.com, 6 June 2025 So, how are parents supposed to wrangle all these toys? Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for wrangle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrangle
Noun
  • Before the dispute, the Shinawatras and the Huns of Cambodia — two of Southeast Asia’s most influential political dynasties — had enjoyed close personal relations for decades.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2025
  • The dispute has influenced Paramount’s approach to a lawsuit accusing it of deceptively editing an interview with Kamala Harris.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • In 2012, surviving members of the Beach Boys reunited for a 50th anniversary album, which quickly hit the Top 10 before the group again bickered and separated.
    CBS News, CBS News, 11 June 2025
  • Vance memes, framing the vice president as the troubled child of bickering parents.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • The quarrel exploded Thursday, leading to a public back and forth on X, formerly Twitter.
    Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
  • This was just one of many quarrels between the two that grew more frequent.
    Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Democrats, led by Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, had argued that in recent decades Congress gradually surrendered war-making powers to the president.
    Robert Jimison, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • His attorneys had argued that he was manipulated by Blanchard, a victim of Munchausen by proxy, to kill her mom and should have his charges reduced to second-degree murder, according to The Springfield News-Leader.
    Michael Nied, People.com, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Amid the physical fights during each game, the broader battle between Gi-hun and the Front Man has always been existential: Are people worth saving?
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 June 2025
  • The result of that fight was Paul's first and only pro loss, dropping a split decision to Fury.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • The first is that when U.S. soldiers returned from the war there, protesters spat upon them in disdain.
    Jonathan Zimmerman, Foreign Affairs, 19 May 2016
  • The flare comes after nearly a week of flares and coronal plasma ejections spat toward the planet that threatened disruptions to power and communications systems on Earth.
    Greg Wehner, Fox News, 15 May 2024
Noun
  • At Monday’s arraignment, when prosecutors revealed the details of the altercation, a judge ordered Horsman to be held without bail.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 30 June 2025
  • In a now-viral recording of the altercation posted to Reddit, Perry is seen grabbing the other passenger's hair.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Though the talks fell apart over disagreements on what measures North Korea would take toward disarmament and Trump’s reluctance to offer sanctions relief, the summits ended on a surprisingly hopeful note, with the two leaders walking away as pen pals.
    Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025
  • For decades, Kahneman and Gary Klein, a psychologist who researches naturalistic decision-making, had a running disagreement about whether human intuition could be trusted.
    Gabriel Snyder, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wrangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrangle. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on wrangle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!