embroil
verb
em·broil
im-ˈbrȯi(-ə)l 
embroiled; embroiling; embroils
1
: to throw into disorder or confusion
2
: to involve in conflict or difficulties
embroiled in controversy
Synonyms of embroil
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
The Port Authority’s deputy executive director role has been unfilled since the Bridgegate scandal in 2013, when then-Deputy Director Bill Baroni became embroiled in the Chris Christie-era plot to inflict traffic on the Democratic mayor of Fort Lee, NJ.
—
Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
The situation came to light when the security guard allegedly involved with the troopers became embroiled in a dispute with a co-worker who knew what may have been going on.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
TikTok became embroiled in a trade war between the United States and China as the nations engaged in a heated contest over technology and industrial supremacy.
—David McCabe, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
The movie is based on the story of Gerald Tinker, the American Olympian and NFL player who become embroiled in the Miami drug trafficking scene of the ’70s and ’80s.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for embroil
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
The situation came to light when the security guard allegedly involved with the troopers became embroiled in a dispute with a co-worker who knew what may have been going on.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 24 Jan. 2026
TikTok became embroiled in a trade war between the United States and China as the nations engaged in a heated contest over technology and industrial supremacy.
—David McCabe, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
The movie is based on the story of Gerald Tinker, the American Olympian and NFL player who become embroiled in the Miami drug trafficking scene of the ’70s and ’80s.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for embroil
Cite this Entry
“Embroil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/embroil. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
