Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Morass: meaning, definitions and examples

🌿
Add to dictionary

morass

 

[məˈræs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in a swamp

a complicated or confused situation; an entanglement

Synonyms

entanglement, maze, quagmire.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
morass

Typically used to describe a confusing or difficult situation that seems almost impossible to get out of, often involving a lot of complicated details.

  • The legal proceedings became a morass of conflicting testimonies and unclear evidence.
  • The project turned into a morass of uncompleted tasks and miscommunications.
quagmire

Often used to describe a situation that is not only difficult, but also dangerous, sticky, or hard to deal with, much like a swampy, muddy area that is difficult to traverse. The term usually carries a negative connotation.

  • The military found themselves in a quagmire, unable to advance or retreat without significant losses.
  • The company’s financial troubles turned into a quagmire as more debts accumulated.
maze

Usually refers to a physical or conceptual structure with many interconnected paths or passages, designed to be confusing and difficult to navigate. It can also be used metaphorically to describe any complex and confusing situation.

  • The old castle had a maze of secret passages and hidden rooms.
  • Navigating the bureaucracy felt like trying to find a way out of a maze.
entanglement

This word is used when describing a situation involving a complex, and often problematic, interrelationship or involvement, particularly in personal or political matters.

  • Their financial entanglement made the divorce proceedings even more complicated.
  • Political entanglements between the two countries have led to increased tensions.

Examples of usage

  • The negotiations had turned into a morass of conflicting interests.
  • The company found itself in a morass of legal troubles.
Context #2 | Noun

figuratively

something that traps, confuses, or impedes

Synonyms

obstacle, quicksand, snare.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
morass

Use when describing a swampy, muddy area of land.

  • The hikers got stuck in a morass and had to be rescued.
  • Avoiding the morass was nearly impossible after the heavy rains.
quicksand

Use when describing a dangerous situation that is hard to escape from and can pull you deeper if you struggle.

  • His debts became financial quicksand, pulling him in deeper every month.
  • The negotiations felt like quicksand, with every move complicating the situation further.
snare

Typically used to describe a trap for catching animals or a metaphorical trap to catch or deceive someone, often with a negative connotation.

  • The hunter set a snare to catch rabbits.
  • She avoided the contractual snare that would have trapped her in an unfavorable deal.
obstacle

Best used to describe something that blocks one's way or prevents progress.

  • The lack of funding was a major obstacle to completing the project.
  • She managed to overcome all the obstacles to achieve her dream.

Examples of usage

  • The project had become a morass of bureaucracy and red tape.
  • She felt trapped in a morass of her own making.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from Middle English 'moras', which means a swamp or bog, reflecting its soggy nature.
  • It has roots in the Old French 'morrass', which referred to a wetland area.
  • The term has evolved in literature to describe not just physical swamps but also figurative states of confusion or entanglement.

Literature

  • In literature, 'morass' is often used metaphorically to depict a complex or confusing situation.
  • Famous writers like Thomas Hardy and Joseph Conrad have used the term to illustrate emotional or narrative entrapments.
  • Its presence in stories evokes feelings of struggle and the overwhelming nature of challenges faced by characters.

Environmental Science

  • Morasses, or wetlands, are crucial ecosystems that support diverse plant and animal life, playing a role in water purification.
  • They act as natural sponges, absorbing excess rainfall and reducing flooding risks for surrounding areas.
  • Wetlands are critically endangered worldwide due to urban development and pollution, highlighting their ecological importance.

Psychology

  • The concept of a 'morass' can describe feelings of being stuck in life decisions or emotional turmoil.
  • Psychologists often emphasize the importance of finding ways to navigate and 'escape' from personal morasses for mental well-being.
  • Addressing a mental morass can involve slow and steady steps, similar to navigating through physical mud.

Pop Culture

  • The term 'morass' has appeared in various films and novels, often symbolizing a character's struggle or complicated situation.
  • In pop culture, being in a 'morass' evokes imagery of protagonists trying to escape sticky situations, whether literal or metaphorical.
  • Writers often use it to depict settings that reflect a character's mental state, enhancing the narrative's emotional depth.

Translations

Translations of the word "morass" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pântano

🇮🇳 दलदल

🇩🇪 Morast

🇮🇩 rawa

🇺🇦 болото

🇵🇱 bagno

🇯🇵 沼地

🇫🇷 marécage

🇪🇸 pantano

🇹🇷 bataklık

🇰🇷 늪

🇸🇦 مستنقع

🇨🇿 bažina

🇸🇰 močiar

🇨🇳 沼泽

🇸🇮 močvirje

🇮🇸 mýri

🇰🇿 батпақ

🇬🇪 ჭაობი

🇦🇿 bataqlıq

🇲🇽 pantano

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,429, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.