embroil

[ em-broil ]
See synonyms for: embroilembroiledembroilment on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to bring into discord or conflict; involve in contention or strife.

  2. to throw into confusion; complicate.

Origin of embroil

1
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Middle French embrouiller, equivalent to em- em-1 + brouiller “to quarrel”; see broil2

Other words from embroil

  • em·broil·er, noun
  • em·broil·ment, noun

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How to use embroil in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for embroil

embroil

/ (ɪmˈbrɔɪl) /


verb(tr)
  1. to involve (a person, oneself, etc) in trouble, conflict, or argument

  2. to throw (affairs) into a state of confusion or disorder; complicate; entangle

Origin of embroil

1
C17: from French embrouiller, from brouiller to mingle, confuse

Derived forms of embroil

  • embroiler, noun
  • embroilment, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012