wrangle 1 of 2

wrangle

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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
In the photoshoot, Kelce presents a stereotypical (and exaggerated) embodiment of masculinity — he is dressed in full fur, construction vests and wrangles alligators. Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2025 There’s income, estate, and exit tax exposure to wrangle. Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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 His size and demeanor are perfect for wrangling crowds and looking over heads at Titans games to see if people are trying to access vehicles in the parking lot, officers say. Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wrangle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrangle
Noun
  • Arenas has since said the dispute started over a game of bourré.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The dispute has largely remained peaceful so far.
    Omar S Mahmood, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The pair bicker and bond their way through the whimsical Panda Kingdom, a vibrant world that blends the everyday with the extraordinary, carrying animals and humans alike into something at once magical and mundane.
    Ben Croll, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Roberts and Tim Robbins play American journalists in Paris who lose their luggage and bicker over a hotel room and then wind up in bed together.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • While still unconfirmed, we’re told that the film sees Louise, the alcoholic mother of Mike (Hechinger) and Tommy, take off after a quarrel with her husband Lester — walking with her dog to the home of her brother Frank, quite a few miles away.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Hip-Hop has equally thrived on legendary quarrels and strong relationships.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • If the current fiscal package is estimated to not only cover its costs but grow the economy too, the path is justified, argued Zandi.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2025
  • The company and store owners sued, arguing players could use an optional preview feature, removing the element of chance.
    Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • When police arrived, however, there was no sign of any fight or crime scene.
    Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
  • In his eight wins, all eight have come inside the distance, with only two fights seeing a second round.
    Brett Appley, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
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
  • The Packers owned a 22-19 lead in the fourth quarter when Steelers linebacker Nick Niemann was flagged for instigating an altercation.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Other behaviors that commonly cause altercations during flights include shouting, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, and reclining your seat without consideration for the person sitting behind.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The dispute could affect billions of dollars in cross-border trade and set a new precedent for handling disagreements over the use of public figures and historic addresses in political messaging.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The sentiment is consistent across political party affiliations, with 75% of Republicans, 82% of Independents and 79% of Democrats expressing disagreement.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wrangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrangle. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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