First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1wrangle
verb wran·gle \ˈraŋ-gəl\
: to argue angrily with someone
: to get (something) by clever methods or by persuading someone
: to control and care for (horses, cattle, etc.) on a ranch
wran·gledwran·gling \-g(ə-)liŋ\
Full Definition of WRANGLE
intransitive verb
1
: to dispute angrily or peevishly : bicker
2
: to engage in argument or controversy
transitive verb
1
: to obtain by persistent arguing or maneuvering : wangle
2
[back-formation from wrangler] : to herd and care for (livestock and especially horses) on the range
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Origin of WRANGLE
Middle English; akin to Old High German ringan to struggle — more at wring
Related to WRANGLE
2wrangle
noun
: a dispute that lasts for a long time
Full Definition of WRANGLE
1
: an angry, noisy, or prolonged dispute or quarrel
2
: the action or process of wrangling
See wrangle defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of WRANGLE
15th century
Related to WRANGLE
- Synonyms
- altercation, argle-bargle [chiefly British], argy-bargy [chiefly British], battle royal, bicker, brawl, contretemps, controversy, cross fire, disagreement, dispute, donnybrook, falling-out, fight, hassle, imbroglio, kickup, misunderstanding, quarrel, rhubarb, row, scrap, set-to, spat, squabble, tiff, argument
Synonym Discussion of WRANGLE
quarrel, wrangle, altercation, squabble mean a noisy dispute usually marked by anger. quarrel implies heated verbal contention, stressing strained or severed relations which may persist beyond the contention <a quarrel nearly destroyed the relationship>. wrangle suggests undignified and often futile disputation with a noisy insistence on differing opinions <wrangle interminably about small issues>. altercation implies fighting with words as the chief weapon, although it may also connote blows <a loud public altercation>. 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 Defined for Kids
1wrangle
verb wran·gle \ˈraŋ-gəl\
wran·gledwran·gling
Definition of WRANGLE for Kids
1
: to argue angrily
2
: to care for and herd livestock and especially horses
2wrangle
noun
Definition of WRANGLE for Kids
: 1quarrel 1
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