Synonyms

embroil

American

[em-broil] / ɛmˈbrɔɪl /

verb (used with object)

to bring into discord or conflict; involve in contention or strife.
to throw into confusion; complicate.

embroil British

/ ɪmˈbrɔɪl /

verb

to involve (a person, oneself, etc) in trouble, conflict, or argument
to throw (affairs) into a state of confusion or disorder; complicate; entangle

"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

Other Word Forms

embroiler noun
embroilment noun

Etymology

Origin of embroil

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Its rise in sales comes as the company, alongside rivals like Nestle, remains embroiled in a series of infant formula recalls that have triggered 60 countries to issue warnings or pull labels off the shelf.

From The Wall Street Journal

She was unpopular from the get-go and soon embroiled in corruption allegations including accusations that she received Rolex watches and jewelry as bribes.

From Barron's

But more damaging for Steenhuisen was the financial scandal that he became embroiled in - possibly the first time that this has happened to a DA leader.

From BBC

While the Beijing-based company has been embroiled in a range of legal and privacy rows linked to the social media app for years, its team has been busy branching out developing new cutting-edge products.

From Barron's

Some multinationals operating here have themselves become embroiled in South Africa’s endemic corruption.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023