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imbroglio

[ im-brohl-yoh ]
/ ɪmˈbroʊl yoʊ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR imbroglio

noun, plural im·bro·glios.

a misunderstanding, disagreement, etc., of a complicated or bitter nature, as between persons or nations.
an intricate and perplexing state of affairs; a complicated or difficult situation.
a confused heap.

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Also embroglio.

Origin of imbroglio

1740–50; <Italian, derivative of imbrogliare to embroil

Words nearby imbroglio

imbracery, imbrangle, imbrex, imbricate, imbrication, imbroglio, Imbros, imbrown, imbrue, imbrute, imbue
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to imbroglio

entanglement, squabble, brouhaha, quandary, spat, complication, embroilment, miff, brawl, run-in, argument, embarrassment, complexity, quarrel, involvement, altercation, broil, dispute, row, bickering

Example sentences from the Web for imbroglio

British Dictionary definitions for imbroglio

imbroglio
/ (ɪmˈbrəʊlɪˌəʊ) /

noun plural -glios

a confused or perplexing political or interpersonal situation
obsolete a confused heap; jumble

Word Origin for imbroglio

C18: from Italian, from imbrogliare to confuse, embroil
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