a tract or area of wet, swampy ground; bog; marsh., a troublesome or intractable situation, heavy burden, or difficult problem., to involve, entangle, or entrap: to be stuck in the mire.

drag through the mire, mire in bureaucracy, mire in debt

Formal and Informal Expressions of mire

In different contexts, you can replace 'mire' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'quagmire, morass' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'mess, pickle' is a commonplace synonym.

mire: Explore its Definition & Usage

mire Definition

1a tract or area of wet, swampy ground; bog; marsh.
2a troublesome or intractable situation, heavy burden, or difficult problem.
3to involve, entangle, or entrap: to be stuck in the mire.

Using mire: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "mire" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The car got stuck in the mire.
Example
The company is in a financial mire.
Example
The political campaign was mired in controversy.
Example
The team was mired in last place for most of the season.

mire Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for mire

Antonyms for mire

high ground
dry land

Phrases with mire

drag through the mire
to publicly criticize or humiliate someone or something
Example
The journalist dragged the politician's reputation through the mire with her article.
mire in bureaucracy
to become bogged down in bureaucratic procedures and red tape
Example
The company was mired in bureaucracy, making it difficult to get anything done.
mire in debt
to be heavily in debt
Example
The family was mired in debt after taking out multiple loans.

Origins of mire

from Old Norse 'myrr', meaning 'bog'

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Summary: mire in Brief

The term 'mire' [mahyuh r] refers to a tract of swampy ground or a difficult situation. It can be used as a noun or verb, as in 'The car got stuck in the mire.' 'Mire' extends into phrases like 'drag through the mire,' denoting public criticism, and 'mire in bureaucracy,' referring to being bogged down in red tape.