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Word a Day

embroil

verb · /ɛmˈbɹɔɪl/ · Level 4 · Expert

What does embroil mean?

embroil (verb): to cause (someone) to be drawn into or involved in a difficult situation or state of contention.

Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

How do you pronounce embroil?

/ɛmˈbɹɔɪl/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.

Where does embroil come from?

The verb is borrowed from French embrouiller (“to entangle”).

Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Test yourself: do you know “embroil”?

Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.

What does “embroil” mean?

to cause (someone) to be drawn into or involved in a difficult situation or state of contention

Right! That's what “embroil” means.

to repeal, annul, or declare void; to take (something such as a rule or contract) out of effect

Not quite: that's what rescind means.

to illegally take possession of (something, especially items of low value); to pilfer, to steal

Not quite: that's what filch means.

to shorten or contract by using fewer words, yet retaining the sense; to epitomize; to condense

Not quite: that's what abridge means.

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