embattled

em·bat·tled | \ im-ˈba-tᵊld

How to pronounce embattled (audio)

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Definition of embattled

1a : ready to fight : prepared to give battle here once the embattled farmers stood— R. W. Emerson

b : engaged in battle, conflict, or controversy an embattled official accused of extortion

2a : being a site of battle, conflict, or controversy the embattled capital

b : characterized by conflict or controversy an embattled presidency

Examples of embattled in a Sentence

the embattled coach of a losing team

Recent Examples on the Web The win gives the embattled leader a boost ahead of Israel’s third election in less than a year and could give him another opportunity to form a government after falling short in two previous attempts in 2019. — Fox News, "Israel’s Netanyahu wins Likud party primary challenge in landslide," 27 Dec. 2019 The embattled 70-year-old leader faces criminal indictment on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate corruption investigations. — Oren Liebermann, CNN, "Netanyahu faces tough Likud party challenge in pre-election test," 26 Dec. 2019 Soleimani rose to prominence by advising forces fighting the Islamic State group in Iraq and in Syria on behalf of the embattled Assad. — Author: Qassim Abdul-zahra, Zeina Karam, Anchorage Daily News, "U.S. kills Iran’s most powerful general in Baghdad strike," 3 Jan. 2020 The embattled singer jumped out of his chair, crying and yelling into the camera, insisting he was being unfairly targeted to an unflappable King. — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, "Review: Sequel ‘The Reckoning’ strengthens ‘Surviving R. Kelly’s’ case against disgraced singer," 2 Jan. 2020 In 1944: During the World War II Battle of the Bulge, the embattled U.S. 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne, Belgium, was relieved by units of the 4th Armored Division. — oregonlive, "Throat swab leads to $28,865 medical bill: Morning Briefing for Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019," 26 Dec. 2019 In replacing Perry, Brouillette becomes the latest lobbyist and seasoned second-in-command to take over for an embattled Cabinet secretary. — BostonGlobe.com, "“I’m proud to have been a small part of the incredible success we have seen in American energy,” Brouillette told lawmakers at his Senate confirmation hearing in November.," 4 Dec. 2019 Instead, Heeke doubled down on his support for embattled coach Kevin Sumlin. — Michael Lev, azcentral, "Arizona Wildcats football: Why Kevin Sumlin wasn't fired after loss to Arizona State," 2 Dec. 2019 The embattled and increasingly sidelined press secretary resigned in July 2017 after Anthony Scaramucci was appointed White House communications director. — Emily Stewart, Vox, "Jennifer Arangio, National Security Council official, joins the very long list of White House departures," 14 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'embattled.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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embayed mountain

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Last Updated

22 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Embattled.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embattled. Accessed 24 January 2020.

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