imbroglio
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im·bro·glio

noun \im-ˈbrōl-(ˌ)yō\
plural im·bro·glios

Definition of IMBROGLIO

1
: a confused mass
2
a : an intricate or complicated situation (as in a drama or novel)
b : an acutely painful or embarrassing misunderstanding
c : a violently confused or bitterly complicated altercation : embroilment
d : scandal 3a <survived the political imbroglio>

Examples of IMBROGLIO

  1. <a celebrated imbroglio involving some big names in the New York literary scene>

Origin of IMBROGLIO

Italian, from imbrogliare to entangle, from Middle French embrouiller — more at embroil
First Known Use: 1750

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