wangle

[ wang-guhl ]

verb (used with object)

, wan·gled, wan·gling.

1. to bring about, accomplish, or obtain by scheming or underhand methods:

   to wangle an invitation.

   Synonyms: wheedle, engineer, finagle, maneuver

2. to falsify or manipulate for dishonest ends:

   to wangle business records.

verb (used without object)

, wan·gled, wan·gling.

1. to use contrivance, scheming, or underhand methods to obtain some goal or result.
2. to manipulate something for dishonest ends.

noun

1. an act or instance of wangling.

wangle

/ ˈwæŋɡəl /

verb

1. tr to use devious or illicit methods to get or achieve (something) for (oneself or another)

   he wangled himself a salary increase

2. to manipulate or falsify (a situation, action, etc)

noun

1. the act or an instance of wangling

Derived Forms

• ˈwangler, noun

Other Words From

• wangler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of wangle¹

1810–20; blend of wag (the tongue) and dangle (about someone, i.e., hang around someone, court someone's favor)

Word History and Origins

Origin of wangle¹

C19: originally printers' slang, perhaps a blend of waggle and dialect wankle wavering, from Old English wancol; compare Old High German wankōn to waver

Example Sentences

Two years before, Caligiuri had wangled an invitation to an exclusive party thrown for George Michael in the Hollywood hills.

From BBC

Clearly, the few evolutionary changes the domestic cat has made have been the right ones to wangle their way into people's hearts and homes.

From Salon

When the Spanish-American War erupted, Otis wangled a brigadier general appointment from now-commander in chief McKinley, and returned from the Philippines as a major general.

From Los Angeles Times

CNIL’s judgement is that Google and Facebook are essentially tricking their users, deploying what are known as “dark patterns” — a style of subtly coercive user interface design — to wangle consent and so breaking the law.

From The Verge

Even when I was filming “Clifford,” I managed to somehow wangle my way into getting onto a flight and going back for three days of Glastonbury, and I was just floating.

From New York Times

Related Words

• wriggle