embroil

verb em·broil \ im-ˈbrȯi(-ə)l \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Examples: embroil in a Sentence

Definition of embroil

embroiled; embroiling; embroils

transitive verb

1 : to throw into disorder or confusion

2 : to involve in conflict or difficulties

embroiled in controversy

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embroilment

play \im-ˈbrȯi(-ə)l-mənt\ noun

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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

Californians are embroiled in a debate over banning plastic products, including everything from straws to grocery bags.

— camille harmer, Fortune, "How Banning Plastic Straws Could Make Pollution Even Worse," 12 July 2018
The prime minister, who himself is embroiled in a series of corruption investigations, has called the allegations against his wife absurd and unfounded.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Israeli prime minister’s wife charged with fraud," 21 June 2018
As the Rams prepare for the start of a mandatory minicamp today, all indications are that Donald, embroiled in a contract dispute that dates to 2017, will not attend.

— dan woike & gary klein, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Chargers ready for quiet minicamp; Rams likely missing Aaron Donald," 11 June 2018
Five years later, all three are embroiled in a watershed Supreme Court case that will decide the limits of free speech.

— ashley may, USA TODAY, "Reaction to Supreme Court same-sex wedding cake verdict: 'Huge win for religious freedom'," 4 June 2018
Much of that time was spent embroiled in controversy.

— yihyun jeong, azcentral, "Scottsdale school board OKs $150K settlement with superintendent, end her contract," 6 Apr. 2018
Not to mention its apparent inability to even identify the problem until the company was already embroiled in scandal.

— barbara ortutay, The Christian Science Monitor, "Most Facebook users may have had public data scraped," 6 Apr. 2018
The purchase happened while the radio station was embroiled in scandal.

— danielle tcholakian, Longreads, "Digital Media and the Case of the Missing Archives," 6 Apr. 2018
The season premiere of the ABC reboot finds Roseanne and her sister, Jackie (Laurie Metcalf), embroiled in a fight.

— lesley goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, "Roseanne Barr: "I'd Be a Better President" Than Oprah, Susan Sarandon, Trump," 8 Jan. 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

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First Known Use: 1603

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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