imbroglio

noun

im·​bro·​glio im-ˈbrōl-(ˌ)yō 

plural imbroglios

1

a

: an acutely painful or embarrassing misunderstanding

b

: scandal sense 1a

survived the political imbroglio

c

: a violently confused or bitterly complicated altercation : embroilment

d

: an intricate or complicated situation (as in a drama or novel)

2

: a confused mass

Did you know?

Imbroglio and embroilment are more than just synonyms; they're also linked through etymology. Both descend from the Middle French verb embrouiller (which has the same meaning as embroil), from the prefix em-, meaning "thoroughly," plus brouiller, meaning "to mix" or "to confuse." (Brouiller is itself a descendant of an Old French word for "broth.") Early in the 17th century, English speakers began using embroil, a direct adaptation of embrouiller, as well as the noun embroilment. Meanwhile, the Italians were using their own alteration of embrouiller: imbrogliare, meaning "to entangle." In the mid-18th century, English speakers embraced the Italian noun imbroglio as well.

Synonyms

• dispute
• controversy
• altercation
• quarrel
• disagreement
• argument
• fight
• bicker
• misunderstanding
• brawl

Examples of imbroglio in a Sentence

a celebrated imbroglio involving some big names in the New York literary scene

Recent Examples on the Web

The imbroglio over El Mordjene had to be understood in this context of vexed interdependence. —Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 2 June 2025

Julie quickly embraces the local lifestyle of loud, passionate late-night imbroglios. —Gráinne O'Hara Belluomo, Footwear News, 26 May 2025

Clearly only on the qualification that Habba — a small-time lawyer who formerly served as general counsel for a parking garage company — was her sycophantic defense of the president during his criminal imbroglios. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 May 2025

The Disney alum, known as Iger’s secret weapon for dodging PR imbroglios, is chief brand and communications officer for TikTok and is running strategy behind the scenes. —Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from imbrogliare to entangle, from Middle French embrouiller — more at embroil

First Known Use

1750, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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