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.

Those investments, experts say, help prevent regional conflict and war that may embroil the U.S.

From Salon • May 29, 2025

Desperate not to embroil a small, vulnerable immigrant community in an intense national controversy, they tried to avoid the issue.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2025

The tail-docking blowup is just the latest controversy to embroil the company.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 20, 2023

The allegations reported about Rao are the latest in a series of controversies to embroil Ben Sulayem since he became FIA president in December 2021.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2023

One of the first results was necessarily to embroil America in all European wars and to raise again and again the question of neutrality.

From Thomas Jefferson The Apostle of Americanism by Chinard, Gilbert

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