Quagmire Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈkwæɡmaɪər/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A situation or place that is difficult to deal with, or a boggy or marshy area of land.

Examples

• The team found themselves in a quagmire, struggling to move forward in the muddy terrain.
• The economic crisis had left the country in a quagmire of debt and uncertainty.

Synonyms

• Mire
• Swamp
• Dilemma

Antonyms

• Solid ground
• Stability

Additional Information

A quagmire can be a physical place, such as a bog or marsh, but it can also be a metaphorical situation, where someone or something is stuck or trapped. In this sense, a quagmire can be a complex problem or situation that is difficult to navigate or resolve.

The term quagmire is often used in politics, economics, and international relations to describe situations that are difficult to resolve or navigate.

The concept of a quagmire has been used in literature and art to describe situations of crisis or turmoil, such as in Shakespeare’s Hamlet or in the works of existentialist philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre.

Etymology

The word quagmire comes from the Middle English words “quag” and “mire”, meaning “bog” or “marsh”. The term has been in use since the 14th century to describe physical places, and later extended to metaphorical situations.

Usage Notes

The term quagmire is often used in formal writing and speech, particularly in academic, political, or economic contexts.

In informal contexts, the term can be used to describe everyday situations that are difficult to navigate or resolve.

Cultural References

The term quagmire has been used in popular culture to describe complex situations or problems, such as in the TV show “The Simpsons” or in the movie “Catch-22”.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

In a quagmire: to be stuck or trapped in a difficult situation.

Quagmire of [something]: a complex or difficult situation.

Related Words or Phrases

Mire, bog, swamp, dilemma, predicament, crisis.

Collocations

In a quagmire of debt.

A quagmire of bureaucratic red tape.

Frequency of Use

The term quagmire is relatively uncommon in everyday conversation, but more frequent in formal writing and speech.

Common Misspellings

• Quagmir
• Quagmyer
• Quagmier