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imbroglio

noun

ɪmˈbrəʊlɪəʊ/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of imbroglio

A complicated and confusing situation, often involving a lot of conflicting interests or emotions.
"The imbroglio surrounding the election results caused widespread controversy."

Detailed meaning of imbroglio

It can also be used to describe a situation that is characterized by a lot of drama, conflict, and complexity.

For example, you can say "The company was in the midst of an imbroglio, with several different factions vying for control." Or "The government's handling of the crisis was an imbroglio that led to widespread criticism and confusion."

It can refer to personal relationships, business affairs, politics, or any other situations, it implies a high level of complexity, contradiction and confusion that is hard to understand and resolve.

It's also often used in reference to a situation where multiple parties are involved and are in conflict with one another and hard to disentangle or resolve the situation.

Example sentences containing imbroglio

1. The political scandal turned into a complex imbroglio.
2. The company found itself in a legal imbroglio with multiple lawsuits.
3. The family's dispute over the inheritance created an imbroglio that lasted for years.
4. The negotiation process descended into an imbroglio of conflicting interests.
5. The celebrity's public outburst caused an imbroglio in the media.
6. The controversial decision by the board of directors led to an imbroglio among the shareholders.

History and etymology of imbroglio

The noun 'imbroglio' has its etymological roots in Italian. It is derived from the Italian word 'imbrogliare,' which means 'to entangle' or 'to confuse.' 'Imbrogliare' is formed from 'in,' meaning 'in,' and 'broglia,' meaning 'a tangle' or 'a confusion.' The term 'imbroglio' originally referred to a complicated and confusing situation, often involving a web of conflicting interests, emotions, or opinions. In English, it maintains this association with complex and tangled situations where numerous factors or parties are involved. When we use the word 'imbroglio,' we are drawing upon its Italian origins to describe a state of intricate confusion, much like being ensnared in a perplexing tangle of conflicting elements or interests.

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Further usage examples of imbroglio

1. The diplomatic imbroglio strained the relationship between the two countries.
2. The financial imbroglio left the company in a precarious position.
3. The love triangle resulted in an imbroglio of emotions and conflicting loyalties.
4. The miscommunication created an imbroglio that could have been easily avoided.
5. The imbroglio between the two rival gangs escalated into a violent confrontation.
6. The scandalous affair became an imbroglio that threatened to ruin reputations.
7. The misunderstanding at the office turned into an imbroglio of accusations and finger-pointing.
8. The dispute over the land ownership led to a legal imbroglio that required extensive litigation.
9. The imbroglio at the university caused upheaval among the faculty and students.
10. The political imbroglio exposed corruption within the government.
11. The complex imbroglio of conflicting interests required a skilled mediator to resolve.
12. The imbroglio over the contract negotiations jeopardized the future of the project.
13. The imbroglio surrounding the controversial policy decision sparked public protests.
14. The family gathering quickly devolved into an imbroglio of arguments and tension.