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 of embroil

• tangle
• trap
• broil
• bog (down)
• enmesh

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

Musk is currently embroiled in a court battle against OpenAI, accusing CEO Sam Altman and Greg Brockman of abandoning the company’s original nonprofit creed of developing open-source AI to benefit humans by turning it into a for-profit entity. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 13 May 2026

For Cloobeck, this isn’t the first time a romance has been embroiled in scandal. —Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026

The meeting, originally scheduled for March, was delayed after Washington became embroiled in its war against Iran, which has triggered the world’s most severe energy shock in history. —Anniek Bao, CNBC, 11 May 2026

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority and five of its unions are embroiled in a contract dispute that could trigger the railroad's first work stoppage in more than 30 years. —Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 8 May 2026

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