wrangle

present singular third person wrangles · participle present wrangling · participle past wrangled · past wrangled · first person past singular wrangled · archaic present second person singular wranglest · past second person singular wrangled · archaic past second person singular wrangledst · present singular third person wrangles · archaic present singular third person wrangleth · past singular third person wrangled · past plural wrangled · past subjunctive wrangled · participle present wrangling · participle past wrangled

1. transitiveTo convince or influence (someone) by arguing or contending.
2. transitiveFollowed by out of: to elicit (something) from a person by arguing or bargaining.

   [W]e vvrangled out of the King ten quarters of Corne for a copper Kettel, the vvhich the Preſident preceiving him much to affect, valued it at a much greater rate; […]

   1624, William Simons, “Captaine Smiths Iourney to Pamavnkee”, in Iohn [i.e., John] Smith, The Generall Historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles: […], London: […] I[ohn] D[awson] and I[ohn] H[aviland] for Michael Sparkes, →OCLC, 3rd booke, page 75

3. archaicraretransitiveTo speak or write (something) in an argumentative or contentious manner.

   [H]e has taken in, Sir, the vvhole ſubject,— […] begging, borrovving, and ſtealing, as he vvent along, all that had been vvrote or vvrangled thereupon in the ſchools and porticos of the learned; […]

   1761, [Laurence Sterne], chapter XXXVIII, in The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, volume III, London: […] R[obert] and J[ames] Dodsley […], →OCLC, pages 177–178

4. archaicraretransitiveTo spend (time) arguing or quarrelling.
5. USWesterntransitiveTo herd (horses or other livestock).

   When she [Debbie Reynolds as Lucretia Rogers] tries to wrangle a calf, she ends up flat on her face in the barnyard muck.

   1962 January 12, “Cinema: The Second Time Around [film review]”, in Roy Alexander, editor, Time, New York, N.Y.: Time Inc., →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 17 Jul 2010

   1. USWesternbroadlyhumoroustransitiveTo manage or supervise (people).

      Wrangling a chaotic group of five-year-olds is unnerving enough without the added stress of a famous NHLer [Brian Gionta] in the room helping lace his son’s skates.

      2010 October 3, Sean Gordon, “Gionta settles in, stands out”, in The Globe and Mail, Toronto, Ont.: The Globe and Mail Inc., →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 15 Jun 2021

   2. USWesternfigurativelytransitiveTo gather and organize (data, facts, information, etc.), especially in a way which requires sentience rather than automated methods alone, as in data wrangling.

      Synonyms: munge

6. obsoletetransitiveFollowed by out of: to compel or drive (someone or something) away through arguing.

   1 more example

   To VVrangle the Devil, out of the Country, vvill be truly a Nevv Experiment! Alas, vve are not Avvare of the Devil, if vve do not think, that he aims at Enflaming us one againſt another; & ſhall vve ſuffer our ſelves to be Devil-Ridden? or, by any Vnadviſableneſs, contribute unto the VVidening of our Breaches?

   1692 (indicated as 1693), Cotton Mather, “Enchantments Encountred”, in The Wonders of the Invisible World. Observations as well Historical as Theological, upon the Nature, the Number, and the Operations of the Devils. […], Boston, Mass.: […] Benjamin Harris, →OCLC

7. obsoletetransitiveFollowed by out: to put forward arguments on (a case, a matter disagreed upon, etc.).

   VVell then, if I make 'hem not vvrangle out this caſe, to his no comfort, let me be thought a Iack Davv, or La-Foole, or any thing vvorſe.

   1609 December (first performance), Beniamin Ionson [i.e., Ben Jonson], “Epicoene, or The Silent Woman. A Comœdie. […]”, in The Workes of Beniamin Ionson (First Folio), London: […] Will[iam] Stansby, published 1616, →OCLC, Act IIII, scene vii, page 586

8. obsoletereflexivetransitiveTo cause (oneself) grief through arguing or quarrelling.

   When we have wrangled ourselves as long as our wits and strengths will serve us, the honest, downright sober English Protestant will be found, in the end, the man in the safest way, and by the surest line: […]

   1649 April 20 (date written; Gregorian calendar), Robert Sanderson, “[Appendix, No. 5.] Letter I. Dr. Sanderson to N. N., Respecting the Relative Merits of the Presbyterians and the Independents”, in George D’Oyly, The Life of William Sancroft, Archbishop of Canterbury, […], volume II, London: John Murray, […], published 1821, →OCLC, page 442

9. alsofigurativelyintransitiveTo quarrel angrily and noisily; to bicker.

   [A]fter his old manner, he wrangleth and quarrelleth.

   1574, John Whitgift, “Of Matters Touching Baptism. Tract XVI. [Of the Parties that are to be Baptised. Chapter iv. The First Division.]”, in John Ayre, editor, The Works of John Whitgift, D.D. […] The Third Portion, Containing the Defence of the Answer to the Admonition, against the Reply of Thomas Cartwright: Tractates XI–XXIII. Sermons, Selected Letters, &c., Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: […] University Press, published 1853, →OCLC, page 134

   5 more examples

   Mens natures vvrangle with inferior things, / Tho great ones are the obiect, […]

   c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, The Tragœdy of Othello, the Moore of Venice. […] (First Quarto), London: […] N[icholas] O[kes] for Thomas Walkley, […], published 1622, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iv], page 59

   There vvas a contention of vvordes betvvixt you & your father erevvhile. Thou vvert at vvords, or vvrangledſt vvith him right novv.

   The Comic Tales of the Most Witty and Elegant Poet Terence, All Done in English, […]

   1607, Terence, “Andria”, in R[ichard] B[ernard], transl., Terence in English. Fabulæ Comici Facetissimi et Elegantissimi Poetæ Terentii Omnes Anglicæ Factæ, […] [The Comic Tales of the Most Witty and Elegant Poet Terence, All Done in English, […]], 2nd edition, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: […] Iohannis Legat, →OCLC, act IV, scene i, page 71

   Did man, (thinke you) come wrangling into the world, about no better matters, then all his lifetime to make priuy ſearches in Burchin lane for Whalebone doublets, or for pies of Nightingale tongues in Heliogabalus his kitchin?

   1609, Thomas Dekker, “The Guls Horne-booke: […]: Chap. I. The Old World, & the New Weighed Together: […].”, in Alexander B[alloch] Grosart, editor, The Non-dramatic Works of Thomas Dekker. […] (The Huth Library), volume II, London; Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire: […] [Hazell, Watson, & Viney] for private circulation only, published 1885, →OCLC, page 210

   Yes, for a ſcore of Kingdomes, you ſhould vvrangle, / And I vvould call it, faire play.

   1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i], page 17, column 2

   Vpon the eighth of Aprill vve vvent aboord the Trinity, and hoiſſed ſailes for Sidon: the vvindes fauourable, and the ſeas compoſed; but anon they began to vvrangle, and vve to ſuffer.

   1615, George Sandys, “The Third Booke”, in The Relation of a Iourney Begun An: Dom: 1610. […], London: […] [Richard Field] for W. Barrett, →OCLC, page 207

   Synonyms: altercate, contend, squabble, barney, bicker, quarrel, argue, tiff

10. intransitiveTo make harsh noises as if quarrelling.

    A suitable attire the horses shew; / Their golden bits keep wrangling as they go; […]

    1816, Leigh Hunt, “Canto I. The Coming to Fetch the Bride from Ravenna.”, in The Story of Rimini, a Poem, London: […] T[homas] Davison, […]; for J[ohn] Murray; W[illiam] Blackwood, […]; and Cumming, […], →OCLC, page 14

    1 more example

    Distant and near and low and loud the bells, / Dominican, Benedictine, and Franciscan, / Jangle and wrangle in their airy towers, / Discordant as the brotherhoods themselves / In their dim cloisters.

    a. 1883 (date written; first published 1883 January), Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “Monologue”, in Michael Angelo: A Dramatic Poem, Boston, Mass.; New York, N.Y.: Houghton, Mifflin and Company […], published 1884, →OCLC, part first, page 20

    Synonyms: jangle

11. alsofigurativelyintransitivegenerallyTo argue, to debate; also (dated), to debate or discuss publicly, especially about a thesis at a university.

    And all this queſtion (vvrangle e'er ſo long) / Is only this, if God has plac'd him wrong?

    1733, [Alexander Pope], An Essay on Man. […], epistle I, London: […] J[ohn] Wilford, […], →OCLC, page 6, lines 57–58

    5 more examples

    Forſoothe, that vvhen he had concluded that vve muſt no liue by examples, but by lavves, he might make ſimple ſoules beleaue, that they ought not follovve the exãples of their holy forefathers, in bleſsing them ſelues, but to haue the name of the lavve in their mouthes and do nothing leſſe thã that the lavve biddeth them to doe. And to bring that to paſſe ſee hovve he vvrangleth.

    1566, Iohn Martiall [i.e., John Marshall], “That the Apostles and Fathers of the Primitive Churche Blessed Them Selves, &c. The Fifth Article.”, in A Replie to M. Calfhills Blasphemous Answer Made against the Treatise of the Crosse, […], Louvain: […] Iohn Bogard […], →OCLC; reprinted as D[avid] M[cGregor] Rogers, editor, A Replie to M. Calfhills Blasphemous Answer 1566 (English Recusant Literature 1558–1640; 203), Ilkley, Yorkshire; London: The Scolar Press, 1974, →ISBN, folio 145, recto

    VVher the Philoſophers as they think ſcorne to delight, ſo muſt they be content little to mooue; ſauing vvrangling vvhether Virtue be the chiefe or the onely good; […]

    a. 1587 (date written), Phillip Sidney [i.e., Philip Sidney], The Defence of Poesie, London: […] [Thomas Creede] for VVilliam Ponsonby, published 1595, →OCLC, signature E2, verso, →OCLC

    But [Severin] Binius vvrangleth here; Can vve blame him vvhen the free-hold of their Great Miſtreſſe is ſo neerely touched?

    1628, Jos[eph] Hall, “The Newnesse of the Uniuersall Head-ship of the Bishop of Rome”, in The Olde Religion: A Treatise, wherin is Laid Downe the True State of the Difference betwixt the Reformed, and Romane Church; […], London: […] W[illiam] S[tansby] for Nathaniell Butter and Richard Hawkings, →OCLC, section I, page 174

    At this thou also wranglest, because I said that "every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ, who was with the Father before the world was, did in the appointed time of the Father come into the world, take a body upon him, and was very man as well as very God; and did in that very body suffer what did belong to the sons of men," &c.

    1657, John Bunyan, “ A Vindication of Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; […]”, in Henry Stebbing, editor, The Entire Works of John Bunyan, […], volume I, London: James S[prent] Virtue, […], published 1863, →OCLC, page 101, column 2

    But when I turn away, / Thou, willing me to stay, / Wooest not, nor vainly wranglest; / But, looking fixedly the while, / All my bounding heart entanglest, / In a golden-netted smile; […]

    1830 June, Alfred Tennyson, “Madeline”, in Poems. […], volume I, London: Edward Moxon, […], published 1842, →OCLC, stanza 3, page 19

plural wrangles

1. countableAn angry dispute; a noisy quarrel; an altercation.

   This vvould of Neceſſity, breed an infinite Number of Brangles and litigious Suits in the Spiritual Courts, and put the vvretched Paſtor at perpetual Variance vvith his vvhole Pariſh.

   [1732 March 6 (Gregorian calendar; date written), [Jonathan Swift], Considerations upon Two Bills Sent Down from the R[ight] H[onourable] the H[ouse] of L[ords] to the H[onoura]ble H[ouse] of C[ommons of Ireland] Relating to the Clergy of I[relan]d, London: […] A. Moore, […], published 1732, →OCLC, page 18

   2 more examples

   For in that you would your awardship shuld take none effect, you shew your selfe nothing inclinable to the redresse of your brothers vnright dealinge wyth an honeste poore man, which hath bene redye at your request to doo you pleasure with his things, or els he had neuer come into this wrāgle for his own goods with your brother.

   1563 March 30 (Gregorian calendar), Hugh Latimer, “A Frutefull Letter of Maister Latimer Written to a Certaine Gentilman”, in John Foxe, Actes and Monuments of These Latter and Perillous Dayes, […], London: […] Iohn Day, […], →OCLC, book V, page 1350 [1419]

   For many people this is an astonishing moment of hope, a moment they thought would never come. And there are many of course who feel a sense of anxiety and loss. And then of course there is a third group – perhaps the biggest – who had started to worry that the whole political wrangle would never come to an end. I understand all those feelings and our job as the government – my job – is to bring this country together now and take us forward.

   2020 January 31, Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, quotee, “Brexit: Flag lowered at Senedd as the UK leaves the EU”, in BBC News, published 1 February 2020, archived from the original on 13 Oct 2022

2. uncountableAngry disputation; noisy quarrelling.

   Wrangle and bloodshed followed thence.

   2 more examples

   From this dialogue the assembly fell to wrangle, and broke up quarrelling.

   a. 1798 (date written), Horace Walpole, chapter III, in Denis Le Marchant, editor, Memoirs of the Reign of King George the Third. […], volume III, London: Richard Bentley […], published 1845, →OCLC, page 81

   None can hate / So much as I any kind of wrangle; / And yet, such is my folly, or my fate, / I always knock my head against some angle / About the present, past, or future state: […]

   1824 March 26, [Lord Byron], Don Juan. Cantos XV. and XVI., London: […] [C. H. Reynell] for John and H[enry] L[eigh] Hunt, […], →OCLC, canto XV, stanza XCI, page 50

3. countableobsoleteuncountableA contentious argument or response.
4. countableobsoleteuncountableA controversy.