SKIP TO CONTENT

wrangle

/ˈræŋgəl/
IPA guide

Other forms: wrangled; wrangles

To wrangle is to take part in a long, angry, intense argument, especially over an issue with lots of details. You can also wrangle, or herd, a bunch of cows. Politicians and lawyers frequently wrangle, no cows necessary.

Wrangle in its current meaning comes from the nineteenth century American term wrangling, the art of herding cattle, probably with the idea in mind that rounding up those tiresome details is a bit like rounding up all those tiresome cattle; they tend to go flying off in all directions. From wrangler in the cowboy sense we get Wrangler jeans, though not all wranglers wear Wranglers of course.

Definitions of wrangle
  1. verb
    quarrel noisily, angrily or disruptively
    synonyms: brawl
    see moresee less
    type of:
    altercate, argufy, dispute, quarrel, scrap
    have a disagreement over something
  2. noun
    an instance of intense argument (as in bargaining)
    synonyms: haggle, haggling, wrangling
    see moresee less
    type of:
    bargaining
    the negotiation of the terms of a transaction or agreement
  3. noun
    an angry dispute
    synonyms: dustup, quarrel, row, run-in, words
    see moresee less
    types:
    affray, altercation, fracas
    noisy quarrel
    bicker, bickering, fuss, pettifoggery, spat, squabble, tiff
    a quarrel about petty points
    bust-up
    a serious quarrel (especially one that ends a friendship)
    batrachomyomachia
    a silly altercation
    type of:
    conflict, difference, difference of opinion, dispute
    a disagreement or argument about something important
  4. verb
    achieve something by means of trickery, argument, or maneuvering
    synonyms: finagle, manage, wangle
    see moresee less
    type of:
    accomplish, achieve, attain, reach
    gain with effort
  5. verb
    herd and care for
    wrangle horses”
    see moresee less
    type of:
    herd
    keep, move, or drive animals
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘wrangle'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family