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

• bog (down)
• broil
• embrangle
• mire

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

Taxpayers who are embroiled in disputes with the IRS are no different. —Guinevere Moore, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025

Following the Royal Rumble, McIntyre became embroiled in the #1 Contender's picture for the World Heavyweight Championship on Raw. —Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025

Since then, the agency has been embroiled in chaos and staffing cuts. —Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 22 May 2025

Taylor Swift will no longer need to serve as a witness in the case between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, who have been embroiled in a bitter legal feud since late last year. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025

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