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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Recent Examples of quagmire
But Venezuela has the makings of a classic quagmire.
—
Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
Re&Up’s general manager Andreas Dorner discusses the challenges of operating in today’s geopolitical quagmire, how environmental policy can be both a boon and a bane, and where the company is headed next.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 29 Dec. 2025
The move also kept the players’ cleats from turning the three grass practice fields at their El Segundo facility into a muddy quagmire.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 25 Dec. 2025
The final thematic chapters on security sector reform, economic reorganization, and human rights constitute an excellent short primer for anyone contemplating venturing into this quagmire.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quagmire
Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2026
Re&Up’s general manager Andreas Dorner discusses the challenges of operating in today’s geopolitical quagmire, how environmental policy can be both a boon and a bane, and where the company is headed next.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 29 Dec. 2025
The move also kept the players’ cleats from turning the three grass practice fields at their El Segundo facility into a muddy quagmire.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 25 Dec. 2025
The final thematic chapters on security sector reform, economic reorganization, and human rights constitute an excellent short primer for anyone contemplating venturing into this quagmire.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quagmire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quagmire
Noun
-
The signal predicament of our era is the global rise of illiberalism and intolerance.—
Christopher Beha,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Here, the joyous and the boisterous contrast the dark and insidious, allowing viewers to both be delighted by colorful street scenes and celebrations while the rot of fear creeps in, as the details surrounding our main character (Wagner Moura) and his predicament are revealed.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Leaving sheets in the dryer for an extended period gives them more opportunity to wrinkle or tangle.—
Anyssa Roberts,
The Spruce,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The debate took place against the backdrop of a tangle of state policies.—
Shun Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Its dilemma seems to be that it is abandoned, alone, and unsure of how to exist in a vast, empty scrubland, which sits at the edge of a void.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Almost everyone will have to reckon with how to handle these modern communication dilemmas.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
True School Freedom Act empowers parents with universal choice—no zip code traps.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
If the federal government insists on misusing courts as traps rather than the place where disputes are legally hashed out, then our justice system needs to find safe ways for people to appear.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The bun was buttery and slightly sweet, the pickles and mustard lended a bit of tang to the unctuous beef patties smothered in melty American cheese, and the sweet-but-slightly-spicy Sassy Sauce brought it all together without overpowering any other flavors.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Watts-That Soul Food Southern fried pork chops and catfish share a menu with wings, Kool-Aid pickles and more at this soul food truck.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Texas public education is in a morass.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The team behind Fitbit is launching a new consumer health company, betting on AI to help people wade through the morass of family health care.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
How to Prune Hardy Hibiscus and Swamp Hibiscus Hardy hibiscus and swamp hibiscus die back to the ground in winter.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, has been knee-deep in the Epstein swamp since the early 2010s, and the latest release of documents seems to have been the coup de grâce on his public life.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The best hope is that LaFleur did not impress Bidwill and GM Monti Ossenfort because of his coaching associations but with his ideas of how to get the organization out of competitive quicksand.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
-
The result is a sector doing critical, often life-saving work while operating on financial quicksand.—
Cat Ward,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Quagmire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quagmire. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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