embroil

verb em·broil \ im-ˈbrȯi(-ə)l \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of embroil

transitive verb

1 : to throw into disorder or confusion

2 : to involve in conflict or difficulties

embroiled in controversy

—

embroilment

play \im-ˈbrȯi(-ə)l-mənt\ noun

See embroil defined for English-language learners

See embroil defined for kids

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 of embroil from the Web

By the end of the play, the plot is embroiled in a domestic nightmare involving a gun.

— david lyman, Cincinnati.com, "Protesting guns one play at a time," 12 Apr. 2018
Facebook may be embroiled in scandal following multiple revelations of data mining and privacy violations at the social media giant.

— scott roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, "MIPTV: Advertising, Non-Scripted Key to Facebook's TV Strategy," 9 Apr. 2018
Ramsey famously was embroiled in a controversy related to a party at Amelia House.

— justin sayers, The Courier-Journal, "Neeli Bendapudi won’t get as many perks as University of Louisville’s last president," 6 Apr. 2018
Facebook is embroiled in crisis after news that data on 87m users had been passed to a political-campaign firm.

— The Economist, "America should borrow from Europe’s data-privacy law," 5 Apr. 2018
The Summit Fleeing a scandal, the president of Argentina (Ricardo Darín) travels to the mountains of Chile to attend a conference and gets embroiled in a geopolitical power struggle.

— ben sachs, Chicago Reader, "The wall’s gonna fall at the Chicago Latino Film Festival," 5 Apr. 2018
During the show’s sixth season, Houska was embroiled in a custody battle with Lind over Aubree.

— alexia fernandez, PEOPLE.com, "Pregnancies, Arrests and Heartbreak: A Guide to All the Teen Mom Stars You Should Know," 4 Apr. 2018
Fitzgerald, who had previously run Georgia's state health department, was embroiled in unresolved financial conflicts.

— CBS News, "CDC director pledges to bring opioid epidemic "to its knees"," 30 Mar. 2018
Radical, loose cannon Pastor Dave is embroiled in a battle over his historical family church, located on a public university campus.

— katie walsh, kansascity, "‘God’s Not Dead: A Light in the Darkness’ loses its way | The Kansas City Star," 29 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of embroil

French embrouiller, from Middle French, from en- + brouiller to jumble, from Old French brooilier, from Vulgar Latin *brodiculare — more at broil

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1603

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year