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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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

The neighbor whose property disputes require legal intervention rather than friendly conversation.

Nik Ershov, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
The dispute originated with a recurring issue in the River Valley when strong odors are emitted from a biowaste storage lagoon in the Arkansas River bottom in Crawford County.

Penny Weaver, arkansasonline.com, 2 Jan. 2025