mire
UK: ˈmaɪə | US: ˈmaɪər
n. 1. An area of wet, soggy ground; a swamp or bog.
n. 2. A difficult or troublesome situation.
vt. 1. To cause to sink or become stuck in mud.
vt. 2. To involve someone in difficulties or complications.
The word "mire" traces back to Old Norse mýrr, meaning "bog" or "swamp." It entered Middle English as "mire," retaining its original sense of wet, muddy ground. Over time, it gained figurative meanings related to being trapped or entangled in difficulties, mirroring the physical struggle of moving through swampy terrain. The word's simplicity reflects its ancient Germanic roots, with no further decomposition possible without violating morpheme integrity.
The hikers accidentally stepped into a deep mire and struggled to free their boots.
The project became mired in bureaucratic delays.
After the storm, the roads turned into a muddy mire.
She felt mentally mired in self-doubt.
The politician’s reputation was mired in scandal.