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embroil

verb

/ɪmˈbrɔɪl/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of embroil

To involve or entangle someone or something in a complicated, often contentious situation or conflict.
"She didn't want to embroil herself in office politics."

Detailed meaning of embroil

When we use the term "embroil," we emphasize the act of drawing individuals, organizations, or entities into circumstances that are marked by confusion, disagreement, or controversy. This involvement typically leads to complications, making it challenging to extricate oneself from the situation. Embracing can involve various types of conflicts, including personal disputes, legal entanglements, or political controversies. This verb conveys a sense of complexity and entanglement, highlighting the potential for harm or difficulty in navigating the situation. Whether it's someone embroiled in a legal battle, a nation embroiled in a diplomatic crisis, or an individual embroiled in a tangled personal relationship, this term underscores the challenges posed by involvement in complicated and contentious affairs.

Example sentences containing embroil

1. The scandal threatens to embroil the entire administration.
2. The conflict may embroil the neighboring countries if not resolved soon.
3. We didn't expect the simple discussion to embroil everyone in an argument.
4. The novel portrays how a single lie can embroil many lives in chaos.
5. The latest court decision threatens to embroil the city in further legal disputes.
6. My lack of discretion managed to embroil me in office politics.

History and etymology of embroil

The verb 'embroil' has an etymology rooted in Old French. It is derived from the Old French word 'embroillier,' which means 'to confuse' or 'to entangle.' The Old French term itself likely comes from the Latin word 'brocchus,' meaning 'projecting' or 'having protuberances.' Over time, 'embroil' made its way into English, retaining the idea of involving or entangling someone or something in a complicated, often contentious situation or conflict. The term conveys the sense of becoming ensnared in a complex and troublesome web of circumstances, reflecting its historical connection to confusion and entanglement. When we use 'embroil' today, we invoke its Old French and Latin origins to describe situations or actions that lead to entanglement and complication.

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Further usage examples of embroil

1. I would rather stay quiet than embroil myself in this heated debate.
2. He was careful not to embroil his family in his business affairs.
3. If you don't handle this situation wisely, it could embroil us all.
4. Any public statement may embroil the company in unnecessary controversy.
5. The accusations made by the employee are serious enough to embroil the firm in a lawsuit.
6. Their constant meddling only serves to embroil the situation further.
7. Any perceived bias can embroil the research in questions of validity.
8. Your unfiltered remarks may embroil the meeting into an unproductive argument.
9. The unresolved border issues could embroil the two nations in another war.
10. His habit of stirring up trouble seems to embroil everyone around him.
11. The recent revelations about her past may embroil her in scandal.
12. She's a diplomat skilled in navigating issues that could otherwise embroil nations in conflict.
13. Any imprudent decision can embroil the whole project in controversy.
14. Their attempt to cover up the fraud could only embroil them in deeper problems.