booby-trap 1 of 2

as in to attack
to place hidden explosive devices in or under booby-trapped the field bordering the army's camp

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booby trap

2 of 2

noun

1
as in mine
a usually concealed explosive device designed to go off when disturbed luckily, the bomb squad didn't find any booby traps

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2
as in hitch
a danger or difficulty that is hidden or not easily recognized he noticed the booby trap in the interviewer's question just a little too late

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of booby-trap
Noun
And that does not even consider the likelihood of a beacon which is also a booby trap. Tagging and tracking, with radio beacons or other means, looks like another example of the new possibilities opened up by drone warfare. David Hambling, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024 From guns to booby traps, Dutch leads the charge to take down the gnarly, terrifying looking alien. Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 28 Nov. 2024 In the desert, the Stranger and Nori have become aware they’re being followed and set about constructing a booby trap and maybe killing their stalker. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2024 The Department of Transportation tried to keep the process relatively frictionless, but the city council introduced a potential booby trap. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 21 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for booby-trap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for booby-trap
Verb
  • Aged 30, Makelele had been converted from an attacking midfielder to a deep-lying, anchoring midfielder that would protect his back line and hoover up any defensive actions that came anywhere near his orbit.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The Ash People, who bear red headdresses and have ash smeared across their faces, then attack Jake and Neytiri with a barrage of flaming arrows.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The scene takes place in the redstone mines, where Steve (Black) has brought Garrett (Jason Momoa) and Henry (Sebastian Hansen) to access his diamond stash.
    Mekado Murphy, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
  • In the spirit of utmost professionalism, a few details: A creative young boy named Steve yearns to swing a pickaxe in his local mines.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Board of Rites is tasked with making sure the ceremonies performed by the imperial nobles go off without a hitch, and its members have been dying throughout the series.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 2 Apr. 2025
  • All crowdfunding campaigns have an element of risk, but assuming this project goes without a hitch, shipping for backers is estimated to start from July.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Khamenei had warned the U.S. would face strong retaliation if Trump followed through on his threat to bomb Iran.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The posture shift came as Trump threatened to bomb Iran if the country does not strike a deal over its nuclear weapons capabilities.
    Davis Winkie, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In Cambodia, China has announced new funding programs for child health, nutrition, and sanitation and stepped in with a $4.4 million grant to fund the removal of land mines, all in the first six weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a freeze on USAID funding.
    Thomas J. Bollyky, Foreign Affairs, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Anti-personnel land mines have caused more civilian casualties in Ukraine than any other type of land mine or explosive remnants, according to Amnesty International.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Law enforcement in Willacy County were still working to save residents trapped in their homes Friday after about 12 to 15 inches of rain pummeled the area over a six-hour period, the county’s Emergency Management Coordinator Frank Torres said.
    Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
  • In Alamo, the police and fire department responded to more than 100 water rescues, including people stranded in their vehicles and trapped in their homes, Fire Department Chief R.C. Flores said at a news conference Friday afternoon.
    CBS News, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Participants’ risk of insomnia went up by 59% for each additional hour of screen time in bed, too.2 Is One Screen Activity Worse For Your Sleep Than Others?
    Simon Spichak, Health, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Regardless of the veracity of the cable-cutter reports, Chinese technological advances that can be used for military purposes pose inherent risks.
    Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • At varying points, Ukraine adopted parts of NATO warfighting strategy, only to run into snags or revert to the more familiar, Soviet-style tactics.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Yes, and: The budget, property tax relief and health care costs — all priority issues heading into session — are hitting snags that likely won't get worked out this week.
    Arika Herron, Axios, 24 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Booby-trap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/booby-trap. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.

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