wrangle Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an angry dispute
    run-in; dustup; words; quarrel; row.
    • they had a quarrel
    • they had words
  2. noun an instance of intense argument (as in bargaining)
    wrangling; haggling; haggle.
  3. verb to quarrel noisily, angrily or disruptively
    brawl.
    • The bar keeper threw them out, but they continued to wrangle on down the street
  4. verb herd and care for
    • wrangle horses

WordNet

Wran"gle intransitive verb
Etymology
OE. wranglen to wrestle. See Wrong, Wring.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Wrangled ; present participle & verbal noun Wrangling
Definitions
  1. To argue; to debate; to dispute. Obs.
  2. To dispute angrily; to quarrel peevishly and noisily; to brawl; to altercate. "In spite of occasional wranglings." Macaulay.
    For a score of kingdoms you should wrangle. Shak.
    He did not know what it was to wrangle on indifferent points. Addison.
Wran"gle transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To involve in a quarrel or dispute; to embroil. R. Bp. Sanderson.
Wran"gle noun
Definitions
  1. An angry dispute; a noisy quarrel; a squabble; an altercation. Syn. -- Altercation; bickering; brawl; jar; jangle; contest; controversy. See Altercation.

Webster 1913