Synonyms of wrangle

wrangle 1 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dispute
• quarrel
• bicker
• fight
• altercation
• disagreement
• controversy
• argument
• squabble
• brawl
• row
• spat
• misunderstanding
• set-to
• imbroglio
• disputation
• tiff
• skirmish
• clash
• falling-out
• debate
• contretemps
• battle royal
• tangle
• feud
• tussle
• cross fire
• donnybrook
• kickup
• scrap
• rhubarb
• argy-bargy
• hassle
• difference
• argle-bargle
• run-in
• protest
• dissention
• logomachy
• contention
• objection
• mêlée
• attack
• vendetta
• fisticuffs
• dissension
• protestation
• fuss
• catfight
• melee
• fray
• fracas
• affray
• free-for-all

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

• bicker
• argue
• fight
• quarrel
• spat
• clash
• squabble
• dispute
• brawl
• controvert
• scrap
• row
• discuss
• hassle
• debate
• fall out
• quibble
• jar
• altercate
• tiff
• mix it up
• contend
• lock horns
• argufy
• dare
• butt heads
• brabble
• bandy words
• tangle
• contest
• challenge
• defy
• cavil
• object
• kick
• protest
• fuss
• consider
• nitpick

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• get along
• accept
• agree
• coexist
• concur
• consent
• assent

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

Recent Examples of wrangle

Noun

The debate continues as the party wrangles with internal divisions and infighting in deciding what political direction to go in next. —Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025

Caroline Sherley, 18, serves alongside Chi on MAC’s leadership team to help organize trips and monthly meetings, teach skills, and wrangle gear and food for outings. —Zoe Gates, Outside Online, 27 Apr. 2025

Verb

Advertisement In a movie that wrangles with the complexities of religion and the vampiric state of a predominantly white-run music business that feeds on the creativity Black artists, among other themes, Sammie's happy ending—and, seemingly those of Stack and Mary—hold real power. —Eliana Dockterman, Time, 11 July 2025

The final version of the bill, signed into law July 4, emerged after nearly four days of wrangling among Senate Republicans, with the expansive cuts to Medicaid, along with decreases in funding to Medicare. —James Powel, USA Today, 10 July 2025