Mired
/ˈmaɪərd/
adjectiveverbB2past tense, adjective (used as past participle)
Definition
Mired means being stuck in something soft like mud or a difficult problem that is hard to get out of. It can describe physical situations, like a car stuck in mud, or metaphorical ones, like being caught in a complicated problem or bad situation.
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See It in Action
Physically stuck in mud or soft ground
- •The truck was mired in the mud after the heavy rain.
- •We got mired in the swamp and had to call for help.
- •His boots were mired with wet soil after the hike.
Caught in a difficult situation or problem
- •The company was mired in debt and could not pay its bills.
- •She felt mired in a complicated relationship she could not leave.
- •The negotiations were mired in endless arguments and delays.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "mired" like "stuck" (A1 word), but with a stronger sense of being trapped deep and hard to escape
- ✓Picture a car or person sinking into thick, wet mud and not being able to move
- ✓It's the feeling when you try to walk on a muddy path and your feet keep getting caught and heavy
- ✓Sounds like "MY-erd" → imagine someone saying "My ride is stuck!" because the car is trapped in mud
- ✓Think of stories where heroes get stuck in quicksand or mud and must find a way out—it's a trap that slows or stops progress
- ✓NOT like "slipped" (quick fall), "mired" means stuck and unable to move forward easily
- ✓NOT like "trapped" by walls, "mired" is stuck in something soft and messy like mud or problems that slow you down
Try Other Words
- •Bogged down: stuck in a difficult or slow situation (Use when emphasizing slow progress or being overwhelmed)
- •Trapped: caught and unable to leave (Use when physical or emotional escape is impossible)
- •Stuck: unable to move or progress (Use for general situations of no movement or progress)
- •Entangled: caught in something complicated (Use when problems or situations are complex and difficult)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "mire" (mud, swamp) + "-ed" (past tense or adjective form)
- •Etymology: From Old Norse "myrr" meaning bog or swamp; English "mire" means soft wet earth
- •Historical development: Used since Middle English for being physically stuck in mud; later used metaphorically for difficult situations
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe both literal mud situations and figurative problems or difficulties
- •Key insight: Always involves difficulty moving forward, either physically or metaphorically
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when you felt mired in a problem that was hard to solve? How did you get out?
•How does being physically mired in mud feel different from being mired in a difficult situation?
Fill in the blanks
1.The car was mired in the mud because of the ___ rain and soft ground.
2.She felt mired in her job when there was no ___ for promotion or change.
3.Unlike being stuck on a flat road, being mired means you are trapped in something ___ and heavy.
4.The negotiations became mired in ___, causing delays for months.
5.When someone is mired in problems, it is hard to ___ forward or find a solution.
6.His boots were mired with mud, making it difficult to ___ quickly.
7.The team was mired ___ endless discussions, unable to make a decision.