embroil

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verb em·broil \ im-ˈbrȯi(-ə)l \

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

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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

Pax World sold its Petrobras shares as the oil company become embroiled in a graft scandal in Brazil.

— r.t. watson, Bloomberg.com, "Brazil to Crack Down on Ships Sold Into `Toxic' Scrap Trade," 24 Aug. 2017
Bellusci's departure from Yorkshire bring an end to a turbulent three-year spell with Leeds - a career which ended after the centre-back became embroiled in a spat with the club's fanbase during a pre-season friendly win over Guiseley last Saturday.

— SI.com, "Leeds Confirm Departure of Unpopular Defender Bellusci After Contract Mutually Terminated," 19 July 2017
Strange, who is embroiled in a heated special election campaign for his Senate seat, voted last month in committee to support the Senate version of the NDAA that includes one LCS.

— john sharp, AL.com, "Bradley Byrne calls out Luther Strange on Austal warship funding," 18 July 2017
Trump is embroiled at home in a fierce debate in Congress over legislation to revamp the Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama’s signature health-care initiative.

— john wagner, Washington Post, "Trump weighs in on case of British infant slated to be removed from life support," 3 July 2017
For more than six years, Syria has been embroiled in a massive civil war, resulting in a global refugee crisis and the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians.

— aria bendix, The Atlantic, "Syrian Army Declares Brief Truce Ahead of Peace Talks," 3 July 2017
The Sicilians embroiled the rising republic of Rome in their squabbles with Carthage and transformed a minor dispute into an armed conflict fought largely at sea.

— Smithsonian, "How (and Where) Did Hannibal Cross the Alps?," 28 June 2017
The Datafolha polling institute showed over the weekend that just 7 percent of those questioned approved of Temer’s administration, the worst since the country was embroiled in a crisis of hyper-inflation on the watch of President Jose Sarney.

— mauricio savarese, The Seattle Times, "Corruption charge increases pressure on Brazil’s president," 26 June 2017
The Datafolha polling institute showed over the weekend that just 7 percent of those questioned approved of Temer's administration, the worst since the country was embroiled in a crisis of hyper-inflation on the watch of President Jose Sarney.

— peter prengaman and mauricio savarese, chicagotribune.com, "Brazil President Michel Temer formally accused of corruption," 26 June 2017

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

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embroil Synonyms

Synonyms

bog (down), broil, embrangle, mire

Related Words

enmesh (also immesh), ensnare, ensnarl, entangle, entrap, snare, tangle, trap

Near Antonyms

emancipate, free, liberate, release

EMBROIL Defined for English Language Learners

embroil

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verb

Definition of embroil for English Language Learners

: to involve (someone or something) in conflict or difficulties

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See words that rhyme with embroil Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for embroil Spanish Central: Translation of embroil Nglish: Translation of embroil for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of embroil for Arabic speakers

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embroil

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embroilment

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embroil Synonyms

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embroil

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embroil

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embroilment

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