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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of booby-trap
Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 27 Jan. 2026
When two bumbling thieves (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) attempt to rob his home, Kevin begins an elaborately violent, slapstick battle of wits via booby traps involving a tarantula, paint buckets, and flamethrowers.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
Deputies said during the initial call that neighbors had reported gunshots being fired and that a second caller, who claimed to have fired the gun, had placed booby traps around a home in the Kavala Ranch development.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 27 Jan. 2026
When two bumbling thieves (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) attempt to rob his home, Kevin begins an elaborately violent, slapstick battle of wits via booby traps involving a tarantula, paint buckets, and flamethrowers.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for booby-trap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for booby-trap
Verb
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In fact, the Sixers will be better equipped to attack this Knicks flaw if Embiid can return at any point in the series.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
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In one of the evening’s most striking moments, Raman accused Bass and Pratt of working together to attack her.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Noun
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But tribal opponents disagree that those requirements were met and said drilling projects are often a first step leading to future mines.—
Sarah Raza,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
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The Sierra Fund treated a mine site with biochar, a carbon-rich form of charcoal that can bind to mercury, containing it in place.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Noun
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Had that gone off without a hitch, it would've been forgotten.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
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In the aftermath of the BAFTA Film Awards, the BBC created a new set of protocols, which now need to be unleashed without a hitch as the public broadcaster bids to avoid a repeat of the disaster.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Before Paddack was bombed Sunday, the Marlins had no intention of promoting Garrett or Snelling or White immediately.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
4 May 2026
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Trump claimed Friday that the law is a moot point because the United States is no longer bombing Iran.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
2 May 2026
Noun
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Politics was the focus of the discussion, a topic that too often comes with land mines when two opposing views are on display.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
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Apopo says more than six million land mines may still be buried in the soil of Cambodia.—
Scott Simon,
NPR,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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During the winter months, the natural offshore winds blow emissions out to sea rather than trapping them over our cities, making the expensive California blend an unnecessary burden on drivers.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
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Scientists have found a way to make a new class of gas-trapping glass easier to manufacture by borrowing a centuries-old principle from traditional glassmaking.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
4 May 2026
Noun
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While everyone can be affected by smoke or ozone, the MPCA says those at higher risk of health complications include outdoor workers, older adults, children, those who are pregnant, and those who have heart or lung conditions.—
Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
8 May 2026
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Regardless, much of the developing world is made up of much younger countries, with populations in Africa, for example, at much lower risk of serious outcomes from COVID-19 than elderly individuals with comorbidities in the United States or Western Europe.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Noun
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Bleday of a hit to end the sixth, a snag that came with Friedl on second base representing the go-ahead run.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
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The Calambokidis plan quickly hit some snags.—
Robin Romm,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Booby-trap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/booby-trap. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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