embattled

American  

[em-bat-ld] / ɛmˈbæt ld /

adjective

1. disposed or prepared for battle.

2. engaged in or beset by conflict or struggle.

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embattled British  

/ ɪmˈbætəld /

adjective

1. prepared for or engaged in conflict, controversy, or battle

2. heraldry having an indented edge resembling battlements

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Other Word Forms

• unembattled
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of embattled

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; see embattle ¹, -ed ²; embattled def. 2 probably by association with the general sense “restrict, enclose” of many verbs formed with em- ¹, en- ¹

Example Sentences

Apollo CEO Marc Rowan defended the embattled industry on an earnings call last week, telling investors not to heed negative headlines about the private-credit market.

From Barron's • May 11, 2026

That move, effective July 1, leaves the city as LAHSA’s primary funder and poses a significant question: Will the city stay with the embattled agency or will it, as the county did, jump ship?

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

Last August, just five months after taking the top post at embattled chip maker Intel, Lip-Bu Tan became a target for President Donald Trump.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 25, 2026

The Mets’ players, meanwhile, have been left trying to defend their embattled manager.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

That was the face which, when she saw it at all, was across his own dining table—the face of a foe who did, not even know that it was embattled.

From "Absalom, Absalom!" by William Faulkner