morass
UK: məˈræs | US: məˈræs
n. 1. An area of low-lying, soggy ground; a marsh or bog.
n. 2. A complicated or confusing situation that is hard to escape from (figurative).
The word "morass" originates from the Dutch "moeras," meaning "marsh" or "swamp." It entered English in the late 16th century, retaining its literal sense of wet, boggy terrain. Over time, it gained a figurative meaning, describing any tangled or overwhelming situation, much like being stuck in a physical swamp. The suffix "-ass" is not a standalone morpheme in English but serves to adapt the Dutch root into an English noun form.
The hikers struggled through the morass, their boots sinking into the muddy ground.
The legal dispute became a morass of conflicting claims and delays.
After heavy rains, the field turned into a morass, making it impossible to play football.
She found herself in a morass of paperwork, unsure where to begin.
The politician’s scandal dragged the administration into a morass of controversy.