a difficult or complicated situation that is hard to escape
example
The team found themselves in a quagmire of unclear rules and conflicting opinions during the project.
synonyms
predicamentdilemmamess
word origin — formed from quag, meaning boggy ground, and mire, meaning a stretch of swampy ground
quagmire, repine, fumble, befuddle, eschew: meanings and examples
Learn these 5 words from Proficient set 51. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.
quagmire · noun/ˈkwæɡˌmaɪər/
a difficult or complicated situation that is hard to escape
The team found themselves in a quagmire of unclear rules and conflicting opinions during the project.
Synonyms: predicament, dilemma, mess
Origin: formed from quag, meaning boggy ground, and mire, meaning a stretch of swampy ground
repine · verb/rɪˈpaɪn/
to feel or express discontent or longing
Even though she had a nice house, she would often repine for the simpler days of her childhood.
Synonyms: complain, moan, lament
Origin: from Middle French 'repeigner', meaning 'to pine again' or 'to feel discontent'
fumble · verb/ˈfʌm.bəl/
to handle clumsily or ineptly
He tried to catch the ball but fumbled it and dropped it on the ground.
Synonyms: drop, mishandle, botch
Origin: Middle English 'fumblen', possibly from 'fumble' in Old English
befuddle · verb/bɪˈfʌd.əl/
to confuse or perplex someone
The math problem was so hard that it began to befuddle the students.
Synonyms: confuse, perplex, baffle
Origin: Originated in the early 16th century, possibly from 'be-' (a prefix) + 'fuddle,' which means to confuse or muddle.
eschew · verb/ɪsˈtʃu/
to deliberately avoid or abstain from something
Many people try to eschew junk food to stay healthy.
Synonyms: avoid, shun, dodge
Origin: Middle English, from Old French 'eschiver', meaning to avoid