embroil

[em-broil]

verb (used with object)

1. to bring into discord or conflict; involve in contention or strife.

2. to throw into confusion; complicate.

embroil

/ ɪmˈbrɔɪl /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• embroilment noun
• embroiler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of embroil¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Middle French embrouiller, equivalent to em- em- ¹ + brouiller “to quarrel”; broil ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of embroil¹

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

Example Sentences

A German company inadvertently embroiled in the Louvre Museum heist after one of its lifts was used in the theft is making the most of its free publicity - by launching a new advertising campaign.

Read more on BBC

A worker accused of "stealing" snacks worth less than a dollar in South Korea found himself embroiled in a more than year-long legal battle.

Read more on Barron's

This was despite the panel highlighting concerns over Connelly's ability to manipulate and deceive, and hearing evidence of how she had become embroiled in prison romances and traded secret love letters with an inmate.

Read more on BBC

This is the second leaked text scandal that the GOP has been embroiled in in recent weeks.

Read more on Salon

Even though Bryan has said he does not think of himself as a country act and makes a point of avoiding affiliation with either the Democratic or Republican party, he is still embroiled in controversy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• enmesh 
• ensnare 
• entangle 
• implicate 
• involve 
• mire 
• tangle