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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
Amazon is a bevy of such cool gadgets—a tool for anything and everything—including organizers that wrangle appliance cords, rechargeable lighters, and even cleaning products that get into the tightest of spots. Barbara Bellesi Zito, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2024 That’s how the Fed wrangles runaway inflation or rising unemployment. Bryan Mena, CNN, 16 Sep. 2024
Verb
For all the drawbacks of the desert, Deadline can reveal that Desert Warrior’s delay has been caused by post-production issues, not least wrangling over the movie’s tone, pacing, and length between Wyatt and his paymasters. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2024 The state approved medical marijuana in 2016, and Florida’s largest medical-marijuana dispensary has spent tens of millions of dollars to wrangle the nearly 900,000 signatures required to get the referendum on the ballot in November. Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wrangle 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrangle
Noun
  • In noting that any outcome of the trial would be appealed by the losing side, Ezra effectively acknowledged Abbott's assertion at the start of the legal dispute.
    John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • The paper trail is your best defense in case of disputes later on.
    Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Milo and Roman are bickering over their shared room, and Justin is eager to celebrate his special day.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Oct. 2024
  • On Monday, after Rodgers and former head coach Robert Saleh had spent several months bickering over topics such as unexcused absences and cadence, the irritable quarterback won out again.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • The early attack foreshadowed years of quarrels between the two, one a political novice and the other a veteran machine politician.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Daemon has sent no ravens since his arrival; no ravens means a quarrel with the wife.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 7 July 2024
Verb
  • Eichner argued that building what zoning allowed would mean a market-rate development — that is, condos.
    Kim Velsey, Curbed, 12 Nov. 2024
  • The political scientist Joseph Nye has argued that these American ideals are a core component of U.S. soft power.
    Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Witnesses and surveillance video footage established that there were multiple fights involving the concerned parties throughout the evening.
    Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • But once the fight ended, Talley said things calmed down and after some time even more people congregated in the parking lot.
    Marquise Francis, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • 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
  • Israeli media reported that coalition lawmaker Simcha Rothman had joined a Sukkot march during which ultra-Orthodox Jews spat at churches.
    JULIA FRANKEL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2023
Noun
  • The complaint says police reviewed security footage of the altercation, which correlated with the girlfriend's telling of the incident, That occurred about a month before Graves is alleged to have shot and killed Quincy Smith.
    David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2024
  • Lucy and Future Quinn get into a physical altercation, which ultimately ends with the killer's death.
    Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • There will be plenty of political disagreements at the dinner table this year.
    Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024
  • If Trump faced significant challenges in his administration, such as policy disagreements, public controversy or management style clashes, speculation could arise about who might bite the bullet first.
    Billal Rahman, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near wrangle

Cite this Entry

“Wrangle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrangle. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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