Wangle vs wrangle

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Grammarist

Wangle and wrangle are two words that are very similar in pronunciation but are spelled differently and have different meanings. We will examine the definitions of wangle and wrangle, where these words came from and some examples of their use in sentences.

Wangle means to obtain something through devious means or clever manipulation. Wangle is a transitive verb, which is a verb that takes an object. Related words are wangles, wangled, wangling. Wangle may also be used as a noun to mean the act of obtaining something through devious means or clever manipulation. The word wangle is derived from waggle or wankle, which are printers terms that mean to fake by manipulation.

Wrangle means to participate in a long, involved dispute or argument. In America, wrangle may mean to take control of livestock. Wrangle is an intransitive verb, which is a verb that does not take an object. Related words are wrangles, wrangled, wrangling. Wrangle is also used as a noun to mean a long, involved dispute. The word wrangle is derived from the German word wrangeln which means to wrestle.

Examples

And more than a few among us are discovering that if you can wangle an invitation to, say, a Diwali celebration, you’re in for a thoroughly agreeable time. (The Southland Times)

Not ironic was co-leader Metiria Turei’s confession of a welfare wangle when a solo mum law student to energise her claim that a much bigger lift in benefits (which she promised) is needed than Labour’s tangled families package last week. (The Otago Daily Times)

Highway Patrol spokesman Joe Hovis says loose animal calls aren’t uncommon, but that the trooper’s attempt to wrangle the bull was a step above an ordinary response. (The Post and Courier)

The HSE has also written to the county’s elected representatives to reassure them about standards of care at St Joseph’s Hospital which was the subject of a legal wrangle last month between the health executive and the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa). (The Irish Examiner)