wrangle

[ rang-guhl ]

verb (used without object)

, wran·gled, wran·gling.

1. to argue or dispute, especially in a noisy or angry manner.

   Synonyms: brawl, quarrel

verb (used with object)

, wran·gled, wran·gling.

1. to argue or dispute.
2. to tend or round up (cattle, horses, or other livestock).
3. to obtain, often by contrivance or scheming; wangle:

   He wrangled a job through a friend.

noun

1. a noisy or angry dispute; altercation.

   Synonyms: argument, brawl, quarrel

wrangle

/ ˈræŋɡəl /

verb

1. intr to argue, esp noisily or angrily
2. tr to encourage, persuade, or obtain by argument
3. tr to herd (cattle or horses)

noun

1. a noisy or angry argument

Other Words From

• outwrangle verb (used with object) outwrangled outwrangling
• un·wrangling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wrangle¹

1350–1400; Middle English, apparently < Low German wrangeln, frequentative of wrangen to struggle, make an uproar; akin to wring

Word History and Origins

Origin of wrangle¹

C14: from Low German wrangeln; related to Norwegian vrangla

Example Sentences

How did you wrangle Nicole Kidman for her hilarious cameo in the movie?

From The Daily Beast

Kennedy hopes to wrangle some of her rocker-pals as guests, she says.

From The Daily Beast

Tens of millions of others watch their sports heroes wrangle on court, field, rink and racetrack.

From The Daily Beast

As Congress continues to wrangle over whether to fund the government, the midnight deadline is quickly approaching.

From The Daily Beast

There are celebrity judges to wrangle and emotionally wrecked contestants to coax coherent interviews from.

From The Daily Beast

The outcome of the wrangle was a purely personal accommodation of an essentially momentary character.

From Project Gutenberg

But they only had enough saddle-stock along t' wrangle the bulls—an' I took three uh the best they had.

From Project Gutenberg

Now if there was anything the good-natured Roly hated, it was to wrangle over a paltry matter like that.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus was inaugurated a long, disgraceful wrangle that did not cease while life lasted.

From Project Gutenberg

He did: that is to say, he was worried and hurried to have the wrangle settled and Charlotte at Aminta's feet.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• altercation
• bickering
• brawl
• brouhaha
• disagreement
• falling-out
• flap
• fracas
• hassle
• quarrel
• ruckus
• squabble
• tiff