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
Now the girls, with their useless prop hats drooping sadly over their foreheads, are forced to watch strangers in even cuter outfits than theirs (according to Jen) doing body rolls all over the boys the main-villa girls have only just managed to wrangle into something like a relationship. Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 22 June 2026 Ringel and Levy Dagerman personally wrangled roughly 20 marketing promotions designed at engaging local audiences to come out, and the film managed to open on over 250 screens as a result. Brian Welk, IndieWire, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrangle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrangle
Noun
  • The legal action is part of a broader series of disputes in the streaming industry over carriage rights, bundling requirements and pricing control.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • The dispute over Mississippi's law dates back to 2024, when the Republican National Committee and Mississippi's Libertarian Party filed lawsuits challenging the ballot-receipt deadline.
    Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Several weeks back, Clark and White were caught bickering during a timeout huddle against the expansion Portland Fire.
    Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 June 2026
  • The plot centers on bickering couple Joe and Angela, who invite their noisy upstairs neighbors, Hawk and Piña, for dinner.
    Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 26 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
  • Srebnick, however, argued that the crash was a tragic accident — and did not amount to a crime.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026
  • While some experts say the government should be involved in conversations about AI safety, others argue the result could stifle the industry.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • What is clear is that centrist Democrats haven’t mounted much of a fight.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Railing against a new crop of progressive candidates has emerged as a more animating focus for a president who thrills to a fight.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Verb
  • Mulroney, Ackerman, Snow, and Newman turn this story of spatting WAGS into an explosive, addictive watch.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • While Blutinger was speaking, history professor Jonathan Roth attempted to take video of the protesters in the hallway and got into a physical altercation with a female student who tried to block him from doing so.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • During that altercation, the other person shot Perkins several times, police said.
    Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • Some states chose not to send representatives; several of them cited disagreements with the partisan mission.
    Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 3 July 2026
  • The city commission reached a major step forward on the project after months of delays and disagreements over the best way to replace the old City Hall, which was damaged beyond repair by the historic flooding of April 2023.
    Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wrangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrangle. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on wrangle

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster