Wangle vs. Wrangle — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 6, 2024
Wangle involves using clever or deceitful methods to achieve something, focusing on manipulation or persuasion, whereas wrangle is about engaging in a long and complicated dispute or negotiation, often contentious.
Difference Between Wangle and Wrangle
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Wangle is typically used to describe the act of obtaining something through clever, deceitful, or unorthodox methods. This often involves skillful manipulation or persuasion to achieve a desired outcome. On the other hand, wrangle refers to the process of arguing or negotiating in a prolonged, often contentious manner, focusing on disputes or complex negotiations.
While wangling might involve smooth-talking and ingenuity, often in a light-hearted or crafty manner, wrangling is more likely to involve hard negotiations or heated debates. Wangle is about the clever achievement of ends, whereas wrangling is about getting through or resolving tough disputes.
In terms of social context, wangling may be seen as slightly disreputable but can also be viewed as resourceful or shrewd, depending on the outcome and methods used. Conversely, wrangling often carries a negative connotation, suggesting difficulty and frustration in communication or reaching agreements.
Wangle generally involves fewer participants, potentially a single individual manipulating a situation to their advantage. Wrangle, however, typically involves multiple parties and is used in contexts where agreement or consensus needs to be reached among different stakeholders.
Both terms imply effort, but the nature of the effort differs: wangle requires cleverness and perhaps an element of secrecy, while wrangle demands endurance and the ability to handle conflict or complexity over a potentially extended period.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Obtaining through clever or deceitful means
Engaging in a long, complicated dispute or negotiation
Connotation
Often clever or crafty, potentially disreputable
Contentious, difficult, and often frustrating
Interaction Type
Usually involves manipulation or persuasion
Involves debate, negotiation, or conflict
Social Perception
Can be seen as resourceful or shrewd
Generally viewed negatively
Participation
Often individual or small group
Usually involves multiple parties
Compare with Definitions
Wangle
To obtain by persuading others or using one's ingenuity.
He wangled a better deal with some smooth talking.
Wrangle
To involve oneself in a complicated or prolonged dispute.
They are always wrangling about who should clean the house.
Wangle
To achieve through indirect or deceitful methods.
They wangled their way out of doing any work.
Wrangle
To argue or dispute in a lengthy and complicated manner.
They wrangled over the terms of the agreement for hours.
Wangle
To manipulate or finagle a situation to achieve a desired outcome.
He managed to wangle an invitation to the exclusive party.
Wrangle
To manage or oversee a complex situation involving disagreements.
The mediator was called to wrangle the differing opinions in the meeting.
Wangle
To achieve something by clever maneuvers or by manipulating circumstances.
She wangled her way into a promotion despite stiff competition.
Wrangle
To engage in a complex negotiation or argument.
He's been wrangling with the contractors about the costs.
Wangle
To arrange or influence something through clever tactics.
She wangled a seat at the front for the concert.
Wrangle
To herd or manage animals, especially horses or cattle.
He worked as a wrangler, managing the cattle on the ranch.
Wangle
To obtain or achieve by cleverness or deceit, especially in persuading someone
She wangled the job even though she had no training.
Wrangle
To quarrel noisily or angrily.
Wangle
To extricate oneself by subtle or indirect means, as from difficulty; wriggle
He wangled out of a shift at work by pretending to be sick.
Wrangle
To grasp and maneuver something.
Wangle
(transitive) To obtain through deceitful or manipulative methods.
Wrangle
To attempt to deal with or understand something; contend or struggle
"In the lab ... students wrangle with the nature of discovery" (Laura Pappano).
Wangle
(transitive) To falsify, as records.
Wrangle
To win or obtain by argument
Wrangle a free ticket to a show.
Wangle
(intransitive) To achieve through contrivance or cajolery.
Wrangle
To manage or herd (horses or cattle).
Wangle
The act of wangling
Wrangle
To manage or control (something, especially an animal), as on a movie set
Wrangled the snakes that were used in the horror movie.
Wangle
An instance of accomplishing something by scheming or trickery
Wrangle
To grasp and maneuver (something); wrestle
"the especially agile ironworkers whose task was to snatch steel from the sky as it came sailing in on the boom of the derrick, then wrangle it into the building's frame" (Jim Rasenberger).
Wangle
Achieve something by means of trickery or devious methods
Wrangle
The act of wrangling.
Wangle
Fake or falsify;
Fudge the figures
Cook the books
Falsify the data
Wrangle
An angry, noisy argument or dispute.
Wrangle
(transitive)
Wrangle
To convince or influence (someone) by arguing or contending.
Wrangle
Followed by out of: to elicit (something) from a person by arguing or bargaining.
Wrangle
(Western US) To herd (horses or other livestock).
Wrangle
(obsolete)
Wrangle
(intransitive)
Wrangle
To quarrel angrily and noisily; to bicker.
Wrangle
To make harsh noises as if quarrelling.
Wrangle
To argue, to debate; also (dated), to debate or discuss publicly, especially about a thesis at a university.
Wrangle
(countable) An angry dispute; a noisy quarrel; an altercation.
Wrangle
A contentious argument or response.
Wrangle
A controversy.
Wrangle
To argue; to debate; to dispute.
Wrangle
To dispute angrily; to quarrel peevishly and noisily; to brawl; to altercate.
For a score of kingdoms you should wrangle.
He did not know what it was to wrangle on indifferent points.
Wrangle
To involve in a quarrel or dispute; to embroil.
Wrangle
An angry dispute; a noisy quarrel; a squabble; an altercation.
Wrangle
An angry dispute;
They had a quarrel
They had words
Wrangle
An instance of intense argument (as in bargaining)
Wrangle
To quarrel noisily, angrily or disruptively;
The bar keeper threw them out, but they continued to wrangle on down the street
Wrangle
Herd and care for;
Wrangle horses
Common Curiosities
Is wangling considered unethical?
Wangling can be seen as unethical depending on the methods used; it often involves deception.
What situations typically involve wrangling?
Wrangling is common in legal disputes, complex business negotiations, or when managing group conflicts.
Can wrangle have a positive connotation?
While typically negative, wrangling can be positive if it leads to a constructive resolution of complex issues.
What skills are necessary for wangling?
Skills like persuasion, creativity, and the ability to manipulate situations are crucial for wangling.
What is the main difference between wangle and wrangle?
Wangle involves obtaining something through cunning methods, while wrangle involves prolonged disputes or negotiations.
How do the outcomes of wangling and wrangling differ?
Wangle usually leads to quick, sometimes questionable gains; wrangle resolves or clarifies prolonged conflicts.
Which term is more likely to involve ethical dilemmas?
Wangle, due to its association with deceit and manipulation, often leads to ethical questions.
Is there a physical aspect to wrangling?
In the context of animal herding, yes, but generally, it refers to verbal or negotiation efforts.
Are there any tools or strategies specific to wangling?
Techniques like networking, leveraging information subtly, and exploiting situational opportunities are typical wangling strategies.
What does wrangling imply about a person's capabilities?
It implies persistence, negotiation skills, and the ability to handle complex, often contentious situations.
Can wangle and wrangle be used interchangeably?
No, due to their different focuses—manipulation versus negotiation—they are not interchangeable.
Can both terms apply in business contexts?
Yes, both can apply in business: wangling for securing deals or advantages, wrangling over contracts or terms.
Can wrangling be effective in resolving disputes?
Yes, effective wrangling can lead to resolved disputes, though it may be time-consuming and stressful.
Does wangling require specific personality traits?
Traits like charm, cunning, and strategic thinking are often associated with wangling.
What is an example of a situation where both wangling and wrangling might occur?
In corporate board meetings, executives might wangle to gain personal advantages while wrangling over company policies.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
