embroiled

American  

[em-broild] / ɛmˈbrɔɪld /

adjective

1. complicated; confused.

   I congratulate you on your skillful diplomacy, which disentangled an embroiled situation to the satisfaction of all.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of embroil.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unembroiled
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of embroiled

embroil ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Explanation

When you're embroiled in something, you're tangled or mired in it — in other words, you're involved so completely that it's hard to get away from it. You might be embroiled in an argument between two friends, unable to step back and be neutral. Two warring countries might be embroiled in peace talks, or two characters on your favorite TV show could be embroiled in a scandal. In either case, people are tangled in a complicated situation or a serious conflict. The earliest meaning of embroil was "throw into disorder," from the French root embrouillier, "entangle or confuse."

Example Sentences

Sanchez begins his runoff campaign embroiled in legal troubles.

From Barron's • May 17, 2026

And they are embroiled in a row worth billions of dollars.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

It had for years been embroiled in special bankruptcy proceedings.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

It’s also a film caught up in idealism, presenting a this-or-that way to approach situations like the one Davidson found himself embroiled in earlier this year.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

So instead of the peaceful, happy, safe Christmas vacation I had dreamed of for months, I was embroiled in integration meetings and worry.

From "Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High" by Melba Pattillo Beals

Related Words

• affected
• concerned
• entangled
• interested
• participating