German word

Misere

Pronunciation

IPA/miˈzeːʁə/

Meaning

  • feminine nounpredicament

Example

Das Team steckt in einer Misere.

The team is in a predicament.

Illustration for Misere (predicament)

More examples

Die Misere zwang das Management zu strengen Sparmaßnahmen.

The predicament forced management to implement strict cost-cutting measures.

Core concept

A person or group is trapped in a long-running situation of severe hardship with no easy way out.

Common phrases

  • in der Misere stecken

    be in a predicament

  • aus der Misere herauskommen

    get out of a predicament

  • finanzielle Misere

    financial predicament

Similar words

Krise: A dangerous or chaotic situation demanding an urgent response.
Elend: A state of profound poverty, deprivation, and hardship.
Schieflage: A distorted financial or strategic position that hinders normal operations.
Pleite: An economic disaster in which payment obligations can no longer be met.

Definition in German

Schwere, oft anhaltende Notlage, besonders in finanzieller oder sozialer Hinsicht

Word origin

German Misere comes through French misère from Latin miseria, meaning wretchedness and hardship.

Usage tips

  • Misere is feminine, so standard forms include die Misere and in einer Misere; its register ranges from formal reporting to everyday speech.

Other meanings

  • distressnoun
  • plightnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word