I. ə̇mˈbrȯil, esp before pause or consonant -ȯiəl transitive verb
Etymology: French embrouiller, from Middle French, from em- en- (I) + brouiller to mix, confuse — more at broil (mix)
1.
a. : to cause (as a person or affairs) to fall into disorder or confusion
political complications which embroiled the whole policy of the great oceanic expeditions — C.P.Fitzgerald
: confuse , disorder , distract
her emotions were forever embroiling her intellect — V.L.Parrington
the city was embroiled in gigantic traffic bottlenecks — New Yorker
b. : to throw into physical uproar or disorder
the wind embroiling the sea
2. : to involve especially in conflict or with a problem, adversaries, or the law
embroiled in ideological arguments
found himself embroiled with the group investigating the union's finances
an opinionated and litigious lady who … was forever embroiled with landlords, travel agencies, and shops — Louis Auchincloss
often embroiled in federal criminal proceedings
his drinking often embroils him with the law
II. noun
( -s )
archaic : embroilment