wrangle

[rang-guhl]

verb (used without object)

wrangled, wrangling 

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

   Synonyms: brawl, quarrel

verb (used with object)

wrangled, wrangling 

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 Word Forms

• outwrangle verb (used with object)
• unwrangling 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

The problems surfaced after the end of a contract wrangle with Stagecoach which saw it end almost all its services in Dumfries and Galloway.

From BBC

The diplomatic wrangle escalated after Nepal published its own map which included those disputed areas.

From BBC

In the 1980s, political icon Phillip Burton allegedly wrangled an infamous gerrymander that still shows just how bad things could be.

From Los Angeles Times

After weeks of negotiations and the threat of a nasty lawsuit, ‘South Park’ creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone wrangled two staggering deals, finally bring the foulmouthed cartoon to Paramount+.

From Los Angeles Times

More than many other filmmakers who have tried to wrangle this era and condense it into something astute, he is keenly aware that’s not possible.

From Salon

Related Words

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