quagmire

USAGE SUMMARY

"quagmire" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to refer to a difficult, complex, or intractable situation. Example sentence: The project was quickly turning into a quagmire as the team encountered problem after problem.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Hollywood film U-571 (2000), in which the Royal Navy's capture of an Enigma machine during the second world war is falsely attributed to an American crew (including chief engineer Jon Bon Jovi), was denounced in parliament by prime minister Tony Blair.

The Guardian - Film

U Myint Aye, aged 61, from Yangon, has a long track record of peaceful political activism.

The Guardian

Referring back to her iconic look in the Nothing Compares 2 U video – a huge international hit written by Prince – O'Connor admitted that she was asked by her label to reconsider her image for the 1990s video.

The Guardian - Music

In Britain, the US and France the top 1% have over the past 100 years seen their fortunes rise and fall and rise again in a U-shaped arc.

The Guardian - Business

Of these, Brundage sa id 85% – almost 600,000 – are unemployed even though many of them are employable.

The Guardian - Business

"This time it was União da Madeira, his eighth promotion, from the second division to the first tier (or seventh if we exclude last year as he was sacked before the end of the season): P. Ferreira 90-91, Académica 96-97, U. Leiria 97-98, Belenenses 98-99, Leixões 06-07, Arouca 12-13, Moreirense 13-14 and U. Madeira 14-15.

The Guardian - Sport

The U-6 number is around 13%, Yellen says.

The Guardian - Business

But on Thursday at an EU summit in Brussels, Luxembourg performed a U-turn and promised to hand over all the tax rulings to the commission after Vestager announced she was extending her inquiry to all 28 EU countries.

The Guardian

Indeed the pressure became so intense over the past 72 hours that the government was forced into an embarrassing U-turn over plans to cut allowances for younger disabled people in the republic.

The Guardian

"I guess it hurts 2 have the producers tell u to ur face that nicki is the best judge we've had since simon [cowell]," the rapper further tweeted.

The Guardian - Music

Amnesty is calling for the immediate release of Burmese human rights activist U Myint Aye, who is serving a life sentence for his alleged involvement in planning a bomb attack in the Shwepyitha Township in Yangon on 1 July 2008.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quagmire" to describe a complex or intractable situation that is difficult to escape from, emphasizing the sense of being trapped or bogged down.

Common error

Avoid using "quagmire" to describe simple or easily resolved problems. The term implies a deep and complex entanglement, so it is best reserved for situations that genuinely warrant such a description.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "quagmire" is as a noun. It refers to a difficult, complex, or entrapping situation. Ludwig AI confirms the word is correct and usable, referring to a problem that is not easily resolved.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quagmire" functions as a noun used to describe a complex and difficult situation, from which escape seems unlikely. Although Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, its use is best reserved for scenarios that genuinely warrant a description of deep entanglement and complexity. It finds application in diverse contexts but its lack of real-world examples defines it as a missing expression in the analyzed corpus. Related phrases include "difficult situation" and "complex predicament", each conveying a slightly different nuance. When using "quagmire", be mindful of its implications and avoid overusing it in simple contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult situation

Focuses on the problematic nature of the situation, omitting the sense of being trapped or overwhelmed.

complex predicament

Highlights the intricate and complicated nature of the issue, downplaying the sense of being bogged down.

intricate entanglement

Emphasizes the interconnectedness and difficulty of extricating oneself from the situation.

thorny issue

Focuses on the problematic aspect and potential for conflict, lacking the sense of entrapment.

messy affair

Highlights the disorganized and potentially scandalous nature of the situation.

hopeless situation

Emphasizes the lack of positive outcome, but reduces complexity or difficult to deal with.

state of disarray

Emphasizes the lack of order or organization.

crisis

Emphasizes the urgency and potential for disaster.

impasse

Focuses on the lack of progress or resolution.

stalemate

Highlights a situation of deadlock or standstill.

FAQs

How can I use "quagmire" in a sentence?

Use "quagmire" to describe a complex, difficult, or entrapping situation. For example, "The project quickly turned into a bureaucratic quagmire."

What's a less formal alternative to "quagmire"?

Depending on the context, you might use "messy situation" or "difficult situation" instead of "quagmire".

What does it mean when someone describes a situation as a "quagmire"?

It means the situation is complex, confusing, and difficult to get out of. It implies being stuck or entangled in problems.

Is "quagmire" appropriate for describing a political issue?

Yes, "quagmire" is often used to describe complex and seemingly unsolvable political or social issues. For example, "The war became a political quagmire for the administration."