wrangle 1 of 2

Definition of wranglenext

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 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 Wilson’s first feature, The Deb, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last year, but remains unreleased amid a messy legal wrangle between the Australian star and the film’s British producers. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
While in character, Sweeney went topless multiple times, sported a tiny Y2K butterfly top, experienced a few wedding nip slips, and even wrangled a python. Meg Walters, InStyle, 1 June 2026 And between Microsoft and Nvidia’s wrangling efforts, lots of Windows developers are also on board with Arm. Sean Hollister, The Verge, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrangle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrangle
Noun
  • The Washington National Opera is accusing the Kennedy Center of failing to return more than $17 million in donor funds, escalating a dispute that followed the end of a 15-year partnership between the two institutions.
    Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 12 June 2026
  • According to settlement documents filed May 7 in the Southern District of New York, Baldoni, via his Wayfarer production company, and Lively agreed to settle their ongoing dispute on terms that Lively could still seek to recover attorney's fees and additional damages.
    Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • But Tilly and Gershon playfully bickered onstage as the former remembered things slightly differently, with Tilly saying the problem had more to do with a shot of her hand on Gershon's crotch that was deemed too realistic.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 8 June 2026
  • While things have calmed over the years, the siblings still bicker and often disagree.
    Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • The victim got into a quarrel inside Bob’s Classic Barber Shop on Albany Ave.
    Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 10 June 2026
  • Rounding out the top five names were seven write-in votes for the Sacramento Capitals or Capitols — which could be nicknamed the Caps to avoid quarrels over the spelling — and six votes for the Sacramento Stingers or Sting, referencing the collegiate Sacramento State Hornets.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • Opponents to the development argued that the circumstances are different and that the court's decision does not apply to the Greeley case.
    Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 16 June 2026
  • One of the project’s most significant adversaries is the city of Sacramento — while the area is not under their governance, city officials argue the development would violate a decades-old habitat conservation agreement with the county.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • Most baseball fights produce a little shoving, occasional hugging, some dancing and pulled powderpuff punches.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
  • Coming just three days after launch, and after tech leaders and social media influencers showcased Fable’s leap in performance over earlier models, the sudden block has become a larger fight over who decides when an AI system is too powerful for open access.
    Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • Callie and Arizona: Another couple spatting over kids.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Mulroney, Ackerman, Snow, and Newman turn this story of spatting WAGS into an explosive, addictive watch.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Police found that two adult men had been involved in an altercation when one of the men struck the other multiple times, authorities said.
    Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
  • Jurors returned their verdict after several days of testimony from dozens of witnesses, including students who saw the altercation, investigators who handled the case, medical experts, and character witnesses called by the defense.
    Doug Myers, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Noun
  • The deadlock reflected significant disagreement among jurors over the brothers' motives and the credibility of their abuse claims.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
  • Ken Griffin In one of the most notable disagreements so far, Mamdani and Griffin became entangled in drama after the mayor announced his new pied‑à‑terre tax proposal aimed at wealthier residents in the city.
    Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 12 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wrangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrangle. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

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