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

The Philippines, embroiled with China in territorial disputes in the South China Sea, increased its defense spending 19%. —Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 30 Apr. 2025

Hence, the Wolves rule the quarantine zone with an iron fist, and are currently embroiled in a power struggle with the Scars. —Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

JoJo Siwa, one of the world’s premier attention grabbers, is embroiled in a brand-new kind of scandal for her: public-relationship drama that involves … a man? —Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025

The Trump administration is also embroiled in a contentious legal battle regarding deportation involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for embroil

• airfoil
• benzoyl
• despoil
• etoile
• gargoyle
• recoil
• subsoil
• tinfoil
• topsoil
• trefoil
• turmoil
• aerofoil

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