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
Husband and father Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) uproots an oversized Christmas tree, decorates his house with enough lights to cause a citywide power outage, and wrangles annoying family members, all in the hope of forcing a perfect Christmas. EW.com, 30 Nov. 2024 Watch Fulshear police officer wrangle alligator with bare hands Suspect killed after car chase following officer shooting The suspect and responding officers reportedly exchanged gunfire when two additional officers were shot. Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 30 Aug. 2024
Verb
The idea — not uncontroversial but still wildly popular over a century later — is that differing combinations of responses can be wrangled into conclusions about the psyches of those who sit the test. Jack Lang, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025 That was the creative prompt for everyone to start to wrangle with. William Earl, Variety, 28 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wrangle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrangle
Noun
  • The network brought a federal lawsuit and a judge quickly sided with CNN in the dispute on due process grounds, leading the White House to back down from the legal fight.
    Brian Stelter, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Weston, 34, and Fulton, 57, were allegedly involved in a verbal dispute that turned physical on April 28, 2024.
    Charmaine Patterson, People.com, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Without politics to bicker over or political visions to debate, the candidates mostly pitched themselves and their personal connections to the community.
    Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Meeting in Munich This combination of carping about America, bickering with each other, and grandstanding for the cameras has typified European responses to the Russian invasion of Feb. 24, 2022, and the three years of war that followed.
    Dominic Green, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The public quarrel between Trump and Zelenskyy began after Russia and the U.S. agreed Tuesday to start working toward ending the war in Ukraine and improving their diplomatic and economic ties.
    ILLIA NOVIKOV, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025
  • The public quarrel between New Zealand and Cook Islands — which share a passport, a military and constitutional ties — was a victory for Beijing’s efforts to woo Pacific leaders and a blow to Western countries’ efforts to counter China’s sway, analysts said.
    Charlotte Graham-McLay, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The fact that he was denied once needs to be noted in any future application for practice in the Southern District, the motion argues, claiming that Buzbee only reapplied to practice in the district at the buzzer in this case, and has failed to do so for his other civil proceedings.
    Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
  • In an interview with Sky Sport before Liverpool’s convincing win over Manchester City earlier this month, Salah—while respecting opposing marksman Erling Haaland’s talents—argued the number nine’s job is more straightforward than hitting the same heights from the wing (German).
    Henry Flynn, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Their responses indicate a lengthy fight to come over the budget resolution.
    Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
  • His childhood was turbulent—his parents' frequent fights sometimes turned physical, with his father directing his frustrations at young Gene.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 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
  • The defense argued that Relli initiated the altercation and Rocky's behavior was in self-defense, adding that the rapper's pistol was taken from a music video set and only fired blanks.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Meanwhile, the two shell casings that were recovered from the scene by Relli and turned in to police two days after the altercation had no fingerprints.
    Daniela Avila, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Beyond being able to view things rationally, cognitive reappraisal also offers you and your partner the time to cool off when a disagreement becomes heated.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Glimcher was his most reliable link to the outside world, but many of their conversations ended in disagreement.
    Andrew Moore, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wrangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrangle. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

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