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 of embroil

• tangle
• trap
• broil
• bog (down)
• enmesh

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

Bayley is currently embroiled in a tag team storyline with Lyra Valkyria, while Liv Morgan continues her involvement with The Judgment Day faction. —Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025

But that all changed a year later when Candy became embroiled in an affair with a married member of their church, Allan Gore. —Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 3 Dec. 2025

In the meantime, Europe became embroiled in a series of religious wars. —Michael Bruening, The Conversation, 3 Dec. 2025

And Dan Snyder, then-owner of the Washington Football Team and FedEx Field, was embroiled in multiple scandals. —Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 2 Dec. 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