WRANGLE Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

wrangle 1 of 2

noun

Definition of wrangle next

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

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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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 It will never be proved how much the pressure during these wrangles with Egypt’s government contributed to Refaat’s death. —

Richard Amofa, The Athletic, 31 July 2024

Verb

The kid goats, Willie and Russell, were easy enough to wrangle into the back of the couple’s pickup truck, along with the goats’ mother, Ginger. —

Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024 Holiday ice rinks 2024:Here's where to skate outdoors in metro Phoenix Drive around and look at Christmas lights Got a toddler (or several) who's difficult to wrangle? —

Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 10 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wrangle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrangle

Noun

While In Office By Zoltan Istvan Author 0 Today, there are developers around the world working on creating artificial intelligence (AI) agents that can autonomously do millions of useful things, like book airline tickets, dispute credit card charges, and even trade crypto.

— Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
According to Tampa police, a dispute occurred Sunday night at a Dollar General store around 8:30 p.m. which escalated when Jeremiah Bailey, 48, tried to use his car to block 47-year-old Eric Archield’s car from leaving.

— David Matthews, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2025