embattle

¹

[em-bat-l]

verb (used with object)

embattled, embattling 

1. to arrange in order of battle; prepare for battle; arm.

2. to fortify (a town, camp, etc.).

embattle

²

[em-bat-l]

verb (used with object)

embattled, embattling 

1. to furnish with battlements.

embattle

/ ɪmˈbætəl /

verb

1. to deploy (troops) for battle

2. to strengthen or fortify (a position, town, etc)

3. to provide (a building) with battlements

Word History and Origins

Origin of embattle¹

1350–1400; Middle English embatailen < Middle French embataillier. See em- ¹, battle ¹

Origin of embattle²

First recorded in 1350–1400, embattle is from the Middle English word embatailen. See em- ¹, battle ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of embattle¹

C14: from Old French embataillier; see _en- ¹ , _battle

Example Sentences

Cracker Barrel shareholders voted to retain the company’s embattled chief executive after a calamitous rebranding campaign, but chose to dump one of the chain’s board members.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The embattled drugmaker had a rough start to the year, with an activist investor pushing for change, a falling stock price and a postpandemic restructuring on its hands.

Read more on MarketWatch

But the proposals were criticised as "harsh and unnecessary" by the Refugee Council charity and are likely to be opposed by left-wing lawmakers within Prime Minister Keir Starmer's embattled Labour government.

Read more on Barron's

Then, in what appears to be a reference to Theresa May, the embattled UK prime minister at the time, he added: "The guys are trying to move on. may today / tomorrow…"

Read more on BBC

Another big road leads to Zaporizhzhia, the capital of another embattled region claimed by Russia.

Read more on BBC