embroil

verb

em·broil | \ im-ˈbrȯi(-ə)l

How to pronounce embroil (audio)

\

embroiled; embroiling; embroils

Definition of embroil

transitive verb

1 : to throw into disorder or confusion

2 : to involve in conflict or difficulties embroiled in controversy

Other Words from embroil Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about embroil

Keep scrolling for more

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 Shelter offers, backed by enforcement, could embroil L.A. in another confrontation that would dwarf the disturbances over the city’s recent police action to remove a sprawling tent city from Echo Park Lake, several advocates said. — Gale Holland Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "Skid row is skeptical of judge’s order to sweep homeless people into shelters," 22 Apr. 2021 This round of fighting threatens to embroil Russia, which maintains good ties with both Armenia and Azerbaijan but is treaty-bound to protect Armenia, and NATO-member Turkey, which is backing Azerbaijan. — Washington Post, "World Digest: Oct. 25, 2020," 26 Oct. 2020 Over that week in October, the Series would encompass one of the rarest of feats, invoke a curse, bring on a drunken’s manager’s outburst and embroil a star player in legal problems. — Marc Bona, cleveland, "1920 World Series: Cleveland wins, capping an emotional season," 4 Oct. 2020 McCarthy himself and the military as a whole became embroiled in controversy surrounding police and National Guard response to protesters last week in Washington, DC. — Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, "Army to consider changing names of forts named after Confederate generals," 9 June 2020 Castro's endorsements come as the nation is embroiled in protests over the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis. — Caitlin Conant, CBS News, "2020 Daily Trail Markers: Biden meets with George Floyd's family," 8 June 2020 The finger pointing was a refrain heard in many cities embroiled in protests, from Minneapolis and across the country. — Mary Kilpatrick, cleveland, "Cleveland blamed 1966 Hough riots on outsiders -- and it wasn’t true," 3 June 2020 As a beleaguered Trump administration struggles with an unprecedented surge of domestic challenges, foreign leaders friendly and otherwise are recalibrating their strategies for coping with an unconventional administration embroiled in turbulence. — Walter Russell Mead, WSJ, "The World Waits Out Trump," 1 June 2020 Models have become yet another aspect of life embroiled in political controversy. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Understanding epidemiology models," 1 June 2020

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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about embroil

Dictionary Entries near embroil

embroidery hoop

Statistics for embroil

Last Updated

1 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Embroil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embroil. Accessed 9 May. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for embroil

embroil

verb

English Language Learners Definition of embroil

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

See the full definition for embroil in the English Language Learners Dictionary

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

paean

Listen to the pronunciation of paean

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Star Wars Words Quiz

The bounty portion of bounty hunters (such as Boba Fett) comes from a Latin word meaning

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Anagram puzzles meet word search.

TAKE THE QUIZ