booby-trap 1 of 2

verb

Definition of booby-trapnext
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
Verb
So what is a modernist like Mayer, who made such cool craft of ancient stuff 20 years ago with Spring Awakening, to do with something as hokey and booby-trapped as Chess? — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Noun
The gauntlet of booby traps culminating in the giant boulder that kick off Raiders is my single favorite opening sequence in a movie ever. — Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly, 13 June 2026 Picture Indiana Jones swapping his fedora for a Han dynasty helmet, dodging booby traps in dusty Chinese tombs. — Urnesha Bhattacherjee, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for booby-trap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for booby-trap
  1. attack
  2. mine
  3. hitch
  4. bomb
  5. land mine
  6. trap
  7. risk
  8. snag
Verb
  • Talarico has attacked Ken Paxton over his long list of scandals in several campaign ads.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Saudi authorities later said King Fahd International Airport in Dammam also had been attacked, with few details.
    — SAMY MAGDY, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • If my partner’s former view of mattresses was distinctly masculine in origin, perhaps mine is uniquely feminine.
    — Jaklin Romine Oct. 15, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • For example, largely because of the environmental disaster that is Weikuang Dam, the country doesn’t permit the development or operation of stand-alone monazite mines—that is, mines where nothing is mined except monazite ore.
    — Glenn Zorpette, IEEE Spectrum, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of mine
Noun
  • Both body styles come with Helmsman badging and a tow hitch for easily transporting small boats or kayaks.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2026
  • At least four vehicles struck the hitch, including the vehicle that ignited in flames.
    — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of hitch
Verb
  • Early that morning, an Argentinean naval tug had been bombed by the British, destroying its communications systems.
    — Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Patinkin is the latest star to voice his support for Digger after the film was savaged by many critics and bombed at the box office.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of bomb
Noun
  • Without the explosives, a land mine is just so much tin, so why not forget about the casing and go straight for the explosive?
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Tensions were further worsened after three South Korean soldiers were injured in land mine explosions last month near the heavily armed inter-Korean border.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of land mine
Verb
  • The friction over editorial decisions, particularly around Israel, has trapped CBS in its own Middle East media war.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The alligator was trapped and killed, Winter Garden Police Chief Michael Mason said.
    — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of trap
Noun
  • Al Hassan describes a doctor’s appointment where the doctor can review the patient’s history and risk information before deciding on treatment.
    — Inzamam Rashid, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The city-state had tightened its policy in back to back in April and July, citing inflation risks due to higher energy prices.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of risk
Noun
  • Anything can be arranged here, from private wine tasting tours and hot-air balloon rides to hard-to-snag dinner reservations.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The 23-year-old Texas product, whom the Packers took in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, caught six passes from quarterback Jordan Love for a career-high 123 yards, including a 50-yard snag to help Green Bay humble the Bears.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of snag

Browse Nearby Words

booby
booby-trap
booby trap
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Cite this Entry

“Booby-trap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/booby-trap. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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