embroil
C2Formal, Literary
Definition
Meaning
To involve someone deeply in a conflict, argument, or difficult situation.
To cause someone to become entangled in a complicated, confusing, or hostile scenario, often against their will or better judgment.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Strongly negative connotation. Implies chaotic, unpleasant involvement. Often passive voice: 'become/get embroiled'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Slightly more common in British formal/news contexts.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but slightly higher in UK press/legal contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
embroil [sb] in [sth]be/get embroiled in [sth]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Avoid getting embroiled in other people's quarrels.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Often describes companies or leaders becoming involved in legal disputes or public scandals.
Academic
Used in historical/political analysis to describe nations or groups drawn into conflicts.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be used for serious family or neighbourhood disputes.
Technical
Not typical.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The politician's comments threatened to embroil the entire government in the scandal.
- She didn't want to be embroiled in their tedious family feud.
American English
- The lawsuit could embroil the company in years of costly litigation.
- He found himself embroiled in a debate he had tried to avoid.
adverb
British English
- No established adverb form.
American English
- No established adverb form.
adjective
British English
- No common adjectival form derived directly from 'embroil'. Use 'embroiled'.
American English
- No common adjectival form derived directly from 'embroil'. Use 'embroiled'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The two friends were embroiled in a silly argument.
- I don't want to get embroiled in their problems.
- The company became embroiled in a legal battle over patent rights.
- Journalists should avoid becoming embroiled in the political conflicts they report on.
- The ambassador's careless remarks embroiled the nation in a diplomatic crisis with its neighbours.
- Historians argue that the king's personal ambitions embroiled the country in a series of unnecessary wars.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of BROIL as in a heated argument. EM+BROIL = put someone INTO a heated situation.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONFLICT IS A TANGLE/WEB (to be caught in).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'вышивать' (to embroider).
- Ближе по смыслу к 'впутать', 'вовлечь (в конфликт)', а не просто 'участвовать'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for positive involvement (e.g., 'embroiled in celebrations').
- Confusing spelling with 'embroider'.
- Using without the preposition 'in' (e.g., 'embroiled the scandal').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'embroil' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, almost exclusively. It implies being drawn into a difficult, contentious, or messy situation.
It's possible but less common. The passive constructions 'become/get embroiled in' are far more frequent.
'Involve' is neutral. 'Embroil' is a specific, negative type of involvement, implying conflict, confusion, or complication.
Yes, the past participle 'embroiled' functions as an adjective meaning 'deeply involved in a conflict', as in 'an embroiled politician'.