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mire
This term evokes a heavy, suffocating sensation of being trapped. In its literal sense, it describes the physical struggle against thick, viscous earth that resists movement and pulls objects downward. It carries a connotation of filth and stagnation. When used figuratively, it describes a psychological or systemic paralysis. It suggests a situation where every attempt to move forward only results in deeper entanglement, often associated with bureaucracy, scandal, or emotional distress.
Meanings
A stretch of swampy or boggy ground that is soft and wet.
"The wheels of the truck sank deep into the mire."
A complicated or unpleasant situation that is difficult to escape from.
"The company became bogged down in a mire of legal disputes and financial scandals."
To cause something to become stuck in deep mud.
"The heavy rains threatened to mire the army's supply wagons."