quagmire

noun

ˈkwag-ˌmī(-ə)r How to pronounce quagmire (audio)
Definition of quagmirenext
1
as in predicament
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape the party was once again facing its quadrennial quagmire: the candidate sufficiently liberal to win the nomination would be too liberal for the general election

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2
as in tangle
something that catches and holds a protracted custody dispute that became a judicial quagmire

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of quagmire Fearful of another 9/11-style calamity, the Bush team exaggerated the threat posed by Hussein, triggering what would become an eight-year military quagmire. — Michael E. Neagle, Hartford Courant, 8 Sep. 2026 Blair Levin, policy analyst at New Street Research, told Deadline via email that the time AT&T lost during the legal quagmire ultimately turned out to be a devastating blow. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026 But the likely fake accounts potentially set up a legal quagmire for Temu, as European law bars the use of misleading formats for advertising. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 Elaine Crossman, who also knew Indiana and owns a motel and art gallery on the town’s Main Street, told the Times that the renovation appeared to have become an expensive quagmire. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for quagmire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quagmire
  1. predicament
  2. tangle
  3. dilemma
  4. trap
  5. pickle
  6. morass
  7. swamp
  8. quicksand
Noun
  • The relentless rain associated with Hurricane Isaias didn’t stop some hikers from venturing onto trails and greenways in North Carolina, leading to life-threatening predicaments, officials say.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Through one dangerous predicament after another, his stunt work reveals a performer who seems entirely comfortable in his own skin.
    — Kristen Lopez, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of predicament
Noun
  • The ejection of water molecules favors the interaction, supporting the alignment needed for the messy tangle to grow.
    — Mike McRae October 13, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026
  • This tangle of contradictions had served in the Army for over four decades, spending several years as Army Chief of Staff.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of tangle
Noun
  • The Soviet Union’s 1957 launch of the Sputnik satellite posed a profound dilemma for NATO.
    — Ivo H. Daalder, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The dilemma reveals one of the structural flaws in American healthcare.
    — Dylan Scott, Vox, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of dilemma
Noun
  • Sticky traps with dead insects on them were seen under dry storage area and on the side of a deep freezer.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026
  • These traps kill rats, but also gather information about movements and population sizes, according to the health district.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of trap
Noun
  • Sauces and pickles checked in the walk-in cooler are at 42 degrees.
    — NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Recently a box showcased sweet, custardy amaebi, salmon belly, chum ikura, uni, toro, Hokkaido hotate, octopus and kizami wasabi adorned with various flowers and pickles.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of pickle
Noun
  • An indoor garden becomes a morass of water, space and climate control.
    — Megan Buerger, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026
  • To keep from falling into a morass of time, games can provide a welcome distraction.
    — Artforum, Artforum, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of morass
Noun
  • The rain is expected to stop by kickoff, but not after nearly 24 hours of it, which may have turned the grass surface of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium into a swamp (it is equipped with quite the advanced draining system).
    — Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Del Rey’s husband, Jeremy Dufrene, will even have a bit role as Mud Dog Mike, Back Country Radio’s roving reporter, swamp meteorologist, and airboat captain (which Dufrene is in real life).
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of swamp
Noun
  • After the blinding start to a decisive Game 3 against the Las Vegas Aces, after the crawl through quicksand for the rest of it, after the bloody lip and a stoic walk off the floor while cannons spit celebratory smoke into the air.
    — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The Dodgers trudged toward October by clinching their 13th National League West title in 14 years on Thursday, their customary march mired in a quicksand of questions.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of quicksand

Browse Nearby Words

quaffs
quagmire
quagmires
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Cite this Entry

“Quagmire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quagmire. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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