embroil

verb

em·​broil im-ˈbrȯi(-ə)l How to pronounce embroil (audio)
embroiled; embroiling; embroils

transitive verb

1
: to throw into disorder or confusion
2
: to involve in conflict or difficulties
embroiled in controversy
embroilment noun

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 Before the deal closed, AOL paid a $3.5 million fine in May 2000 after the Securities and Exchange Commission accused it of improperly inflating profits by hundreds of millions of dollars — a preview of what would become a yearslong accounting scandal that embroiled the new company. Chris Kornelis, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024 The fan favorite has been embroiled in a scandal off-camera when he was accused of having a secret girlfriend during filming. Glamour, 14 Mar. 2024 He has more recently been embroiled in a legal battle with former bandmate John Oates over an alleged breach of partnership. Pitchfork, 8 Mar. 2024 Picower was married to the late investor Jeffry Picower, who got embroiled in the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme scandal. Alex Daniels Of The Chronicle Of Philanthropy, Chronicle Of Philanthropy, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024 The last time China and the Soviet Union signed a friendship treaty, the two countries were, within twenty years, embroiled in a nasty border conflict. Craig Hooper, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 But Musk, according to his tweet, did become aware of the fiasco that had embroiled both his electric vehicle company and the San Jose bakery. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2024 Khan has also been embroiled in political controversy since he was dramatically ousted in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022, for alleged mismanagement of the economy. Sophia Saifi, CNN, 6 Feb. 2024 The choice of a senator from Alabama comes at a time when the state is embroiled in controversy over a state Supreme Court decision that found frozen embryos can be considered children under state law. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'embroil.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of embroil was in 1603

Dictionary Entries Near embroil

Cite this Entry

“Embroil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embroil. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

embroil

verb
em·​broil im-ˈbrȯi(ə)l How to pronounce embroil (audio)
1
: to throw into disorder or confusion
2
: to involve in conflict or difficulties
embroiled in a lawsuit
embroilment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on embroil

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