Embroil

/ɪmˈbɹɔɪl/ · verb

Meaning

To bring (something) into a state of confusion or uproar; to complicate, to confuse, to jumble..

Definitions by Sense

1. To bring (something) into a state of confusion or uproar; to complicate, to confuse, to jumble.
2. To cause (someone) to be drawn into or involved in a difficult situation or state of contention.
3. A state of confusion or uproar; a commotion, a disturbance; also, a quarrel.
4. A state of anxiety or disturbance of the mind.
5. (transitive, obsolete, rare) To set (something) on fire; to burn (something).

Example Sentences

Rumor next and Chance, / And Tumult and Confuſion all imbroild, / And Diſcord with a thouſand various mouths.

Your Enemies had ſo embroyl'd the management of your Office, that they look'd on your Advancement as the Inſtrument of your Ruine.

[It is ill-governed speech] chiefly which perverteth justice, which soweth dissensions, which raiseth all bad passions and animosities, which embroileth the world in seditions and factions, by which men wrong and abuse, deceive and seduce, defame and disgrace one another, […]

There are in Rome Tvvo Sets of Antiquities, the Chriſtian and the Heathen. The former, tho' of a freſher Date, are ſo embroil'd vvith Fable and Legend, that one receives but little Satisfaction from ſearching into 'em.

Novv all at once tremendous ſcenes unfold; / Thunder'd the deeps, the ſmoking billovvs roll'd! / Tumultuous vvaves embroil'd the belovving flood, / All trembling, deafen'd, and aghaſt vve ſtood!

Then vvould vve try to ſcan the moral VVorld, / VVhich, tho' to us it ſeems embroil'd, moves on / In higher order; fitted, and impell'd, / By VVisdom's fineſt hand, and iſſuing all / In general Good.

Buckingham bit his lip, for he saw the introduction of Lady Derby was likely to confuse and embroil every preparation which he had arranged for his defence; […]

[H]ow shall I fail to be naturally hated by her, when I stand by thee near thy foot, and she, childless as she is, beholds thy beloved one with bitter jealousy, and then either thou abandonest me and hast regard to thy wife, or upholdest me, and embroilest thy house?

Synonyms for embroil

Antonyms for embroil

Related Words

Word Forms

• embroils
• embroiling
• embroiled
• no-table-tags
• glossary
• embroil
• embroilest
• embroiledst
• embroileth
• -

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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