imbroglio

noun

im·bro·glio im-ˈbrōl-(ˌ)yō

plural imbroglios

Synonyms of imbroglio

: an acutely painful or embarrassing misunderstanding

: scandal sense 1a

survived the political imbroglio

: a violently confused or bitterly complicated altercation : embroilment

: an intricate or complicated situation (as in a drama or novel)

: a confused mass

Did you know?

Imbroglio and embroilment are more than just synonyms; they're also linked through etymology. Both descend from the Middle French verb embrouiller (which has the same meaning as embroil), from the prefix em-, meaning "thoroughly," plus brouiller, meaning "to mix" or "to confuse." (Brouiller is itself a descendant of an Old French word for "broth.") Early in the 17th century, English speakers began using embroil, a direct adaptation of embrouiller, as well as the noun embroilment. Meanwhile, the Italians were using their own alteration of embrouiller: imbrogliare, meaning "to entangle." In the mid-18th century, English speakers embraced the Italian noun imbroglio as well.

Examples of imbroglio in a Sentence

a celebrated imbroglio involving some big names in the New York literary scene

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

But the program came under intense scrutiny when a romantic relationship between Holmes and Robach was unveiled, and ABC News executives failed to manage the imbroglio well. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 7 July 2025 Boeing bet big on a daring concept and, despite the 787’s production delays, won contract after contract from airlines, at least before the battery imbroglio. —IEEE Spectrum, 26 Feb. 2013 The imbroglio over El Mordjene had to be understood in this context of vexed interdependence. —Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 2 June 2025 Julie quickly embraces the local lifestyle of loud, passionate late-night imbroglios. —Gráinne O'Hara Belluomo, Footwear News, 26 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for imbroglio