embroil
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to bring into discord or conflict; involve in contention or strife.
-
to throw into confusion; complicate.
verb
-
to involve (a person, oneself, etc) in trouble, conflict, or argument
-
to throw (affairs) into a state of confusion or disorder; complicate; entangle
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
embroilsimple
-
embroilssimple
-
have embroiledperfect
-
has embroiledperfect
-
am embroilingprogressive
-
are embroilingprogressive
-
is embroilingprogressive
-
have been embroilingperfect progressive
-
has been embroilingperfect progressive
Past
-
embroiledsimple
-
had embroiledperfect
-
was embroilingprogressive
-
were embroilingprogressive
-
had been embroilingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of embroil
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Middle French embrouiller, equivalent to em- em- 1 + brouiller “to quarrel”; see broil 2
Explanation
To embroil is to drag someone into a mess. If you're embroiled, you're in deep. Being embroiled is far worse, far messier, and generally far more long-term, than simply being "involved" with something. Nothing good can come of being embroiled. Embroil can refer to any sort of situation — romantic entanglements, political events, scandals — but it's probably most commonly used in reference to lawsuits. The classic lawsuit that embroiled its participants was the fictional case of Jarndyce. v. Jarndyce, in Dickens's novel Bleak House — which went on for so many generations that all the characters' money was eaten up entirely by lawyers' fees. Let us repeat: nothing good comes of getting embroiled.
Vocabulary lists containing embroil
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Grade 12, List 2
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Fast Food Nation
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
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
Investors were on guard for the potential of the conflict spreading to embroil other countries, including Iran, and a continued spike in oil prices.
From Reuters ● Oct. 9, 2023
The tail-docking blowup is just the latest controversy to embroil the company.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 20, 2023
While all these preparations were going on, there was an incident in Havana which threatened seriously to embroil Spain with the United States.
From The History of Cuba, vol. 3 by Johnson, Willis Fletcher
Milking the quirks of small-town life and the strange workings of faith and superstition, “The Unknown Saint” embroils a cast of droll, deadpan characters in amusing high jinks.
From New York Times ● Jul. 30, 2021
"Because it embroils us in a legal discussion," Mueller said.
From Fox News ● Jul. 24, 2019
Her death remains a mystery that still embroils some of the most storied figures in this city’s imaginary golden age of intrigue and glamour.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 7, 2017
The case that has gotten the greatest attention embroils Benedict himself.
From Time ● Mar. 19, 2010
To whom these most adhere He rules a moment: Chaos umpire sits, And by decision more embroils the fray By which he reigns: next him, high arbiter, Chance governs all.
From Paradise Lost by Milton, John
Today, though, the discipline is embroiled in an ideological and existential battle of its own, one that is increasingly public and, at least in part, of its own making.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026
And to be an American is to be embroiled in the great democratic experiment that has been defined by division from the beginning.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 29, 2026
Krugman has been embroiled in a debate with a group of European economists, including French Nobel laureate Philippe Aghion, over whether Europe is really falling behind.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026
She's been embroiled for years in a bitter custody battle with her ex-husband, Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026
“Why don’t you ask Tano how great a father I’ve been to him lately? Even now, he denies his mother’s death. Nansi is embroiled in anger, consumed by his vengeance toward humans.”
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
The 1MDB scandal made headlines across the world when it came to light a decade ago, embroiling prominent figures from Malaysia to Goldman Sachs and Hollywood.
From BBC ● Dec. 26, 2025
But her ability to manage her finances is not your responsibility, and we risk embroiling you further in her emotional blackmail and psychological pinball machine by discussing her money troubles.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2025
He cannot walk on the beach without embroiling himself in national controversy.
From Slate ● May 17, 2025
The White House had previously said it was up to the Chiefs whether to extend an invitation to the star musician, who has largely avoided embroiling herself in politics.
From New York Times ● May 31, 2024
This suggestion came, perhaps, originally from Bismarck, who was not averse to embroiling France with Italy.
From A History of the Third French Republic by Wright, C. H. C. (Charles Henry Conrad)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
