embroil

verb

em·​broil im-ˈbrȯi(-ə)l 

embroiled; embroiling; embroils

transitive verb

1

: to throw into disorder or confusion

2

: to involve in conflict or difficulties

embroiled in controversy

embroilment

im-ˈbrȯi(-ə)l-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

• bog (down)
• broil
• embrangle
• mire

Examples of embroil in a Sentence

His stand on this issue has embroiled him in controversy.

The new drug has been embroiled in controversy.

They were embroiled in a complicated lawsuit.

Recent Examples on the Web

Since February 2022, Russia has been embroiled in a brutal war against Ukraine, while Hezbollah has suffered severely over the past few months in an Israeli campaign which killed the group's leader Hassan Nasrallah in September. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024

Syria has been embroiled in a bloody, nearly 14-year civil war as Islamist rebels looked to overthrow the Assad dynasty. —Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, 8 Dec. 2024

Over the summer, he was embroiled in a social-media fight among venture capitalists over one of his previous investments and allegations of mistreating the founder. —Axios, 6 Dec. 2024

But Europe’s two biggest powers are embroiled in domestic troubles. —Yasmeen Serhan, TIME, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French embrouiller, from Middle French, from en- + brouiller to jumble, from Old French brooilier, from Vulgar Latin *brodiculare — more at broil

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

embroil

verb

em·​broil im-ˈbrȯi(ə)l 

1

: to throw into disorder or confusion

2

: to involve in conflict or difficulties

embroiled in a lawsuit

embroilment

-mənt 

noun