abroach
adj.adj. describing a situation that is very difficult to manage or understand. It is an old word used to talk about problems that are hard to fix.
adj. characterised by extreme difficulty, complexity, or intractability. Archaic in modern usage; typically describes a situation that is beyond the scope of ordinary solutions.
The situation is abroach and needs immediate attention.
The diplomat realized the peace talks were abroach and that no simple agreement would satisfy both sides.
The legal team argued that the case was abroach, citing the sheer volume of evidence and the conflicting testimonies that made a clear verdict impossible.
From Middle English abroche, from Norman, from Old French abroche (“to spigot”). Equivalent to a- + broach.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated May 18, 2026