I had a severe imbroglio with my girlfriend concerning her uncle's gluten sensitivities for the upcoming dinner.
Source: tatoeba (10890923)
Imbroglio
/ɪmˈbɹəʊljəʊ/
Synonyms for "imbroglio" (94 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (19)
Strong matches (28)
donnybrook fairembarrassing positionembarrassmentembroilmentfalling-outfeudfightfine how-do-you-dofine kettle of fishflitingfracasfusshell to payhobblehot waterhow-do-you-dojamlogomachymessmiff
Noun(5 words)
Related words (47)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: altercation, argument, bicker, bickering, bind.
- Sentence evidence is available for imbroglio, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, derived_reverse, opengloss, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "imbroglio".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "imbroglio"
Keep "imbroglio" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "imbroglio" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "imbroglio", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "imbroglio" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
9 entriesaffairmisinterpretationmistakingmisunderstandingnarrative deviceplot complicationproblemsituationstory element
More specific
8 entriesbureaucratic imbrogliocorporate imbrogliofictional imbrogliojurisdictional imbrogliolegal imbrogliopolitical imbroglioregulatory imbroglioromantic imbroglio
Collocations
6 entriesbureaucratic imbrogliointernational imbrogliolegal imbrogliomajor imbrogliopolitical imbrogliopublic imbroglio
Inflections
1 entriesSample sentences
6 total sentences available.
Into the drawers and china pry, / Papers and books, a huge imbroglio! / Under a tea-cup he might lie, / Or creased, like dogs-ears, in a folio.
Source: wiktionary
Your trip here will never quite go as planned. […] There may be strikes, mixed-up reservations, maddening imbrogli of all sorts. But they will be charming imbrogli because the Italian people are charming, down to the whimsical tone of their language.
Source: wiktionary
I could have phoned you with all this, Tallulah, but knowing you as I have over the years, when you and I have both been a party to some of Duncan's little imbroglios, I thought I should talk to you in person.
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 6 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "imbroglio"?
Closest matches include altercation, argument, bicker, bickering, bind.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "imbroglio"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.