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

Examples 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
Last week’s no-confidence vote — held after weeks of wrangling over 2025 budget plans to hike taxes and cut public spending — saw the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) alliance and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) support a motion against Barnier’s government. Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 13 Dec. 2024 The district was one of several seats in California seen as pivotal in the fight for control of Congress, and was one of three in the state that Democrats wrangled from Republican control. Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wrangle 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrangle
Noun
  • City officials did not say what set off the dispute.
    Deon J. Hampton, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2025
  • This is because a dispute would result in the donation amount being withdrawn from the campaign's balance, in addition to a $15 dispute fee.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The pair grow up frequently bickering with each other but begin dating in high school—only to end their relationship on bad terms when Seok Ji-won abruptly leaves town with his family.
    Regina Kim, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
  • The sellers are Lydia (Lisa Kudrow) and Paul (Ray Romano), bickering empty nesters saddled with financial woes and a dark secret.
    Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The heads of corporate branding cook up a brief, a design firm answers with a litany of slides, and, after iterations, interventions, and internal quarrels, the sign arrives in the physical plane, with glossy acrylic letterforms and antiseptic light.
    Laura Preston, The New Yorker, 15 July 2024
  • The key is to keep communication clear and avoid overreacting to petty quarrels and misunderstandings.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Around that time, a few pioneering researchers argued that clinical decision-making should be grounded in the best available evidence.
    Aaron J. Masino, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2025
  • TikTok argues that shutting down the media platform violates the free speech of the U.S. operation and the millions of Americans who use it daily, says NPR's Bobby Allyn.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Set in the pre-Independence, the biopic talks about Savarkar and his role in India’s fight against the British rule.
    Sweta Kaushal, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
  • The Fed dialed back its fight against inflation over the final months of last year, lowering interest rates by a percentage point.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 10 Jan. 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
  • Following the altercation, the woman’s mother stormed out of the room, leaving the family divided on who was right in the situation.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025
  • When an altercation erupted between a rioter and a Capitol Police officer, the document said, Roe — with the pitchfork in his right hand — moved forward and pushed the officer with his left hand.
    Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The lawsuit, originally filed by DHL in September, centers around a financial disagreement stemming from MyPillow's use of DHL's delivery services.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
  • But the board quickly devolved into disagreement Tuesday as supervisors nominated themselves for the officer positions.
    Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near wrangle

Cite this Entry

“Wrangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrangle. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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