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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
But first, Roy has to undo all the booby traps in there placed to mess with visiting teams’ heads. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 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 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
  • Hawley said the majority of conflicts between humans and coyotes occurs when a pet owner tries to save their pet from an attacking coyote.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Running as the populist candidate, Brown has repeatedly attacked Husted as the face of data centers in the state and pushed to take on Silicon Valley if elected to office again.
    — Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • The third-deadliest coal mine disaster in United States history — the Cherry Mine fire in Cherry, Illinois, a town of 500 about 90 miles southwest of Chicago — killed 259 men and boys.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Iran's Revolutionary Guard said a tanker caught fire after hitting a mine in the Strait of Hormuz.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of mine
Noun
  • Beil says the two are talking to Hatch about hosting the show there long-term, but there is one hitch.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Taking a quick step back, Madsen found freshman receiver Rasean Jones on a quick hitch down the left sideline — and enough for the first down.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of hitch
Verb
  • Efforts to rescue people Monday evening were hindered as Russian drones launched additional attacks in the area that had been bombed, according to Mykhailo Semikin, a military official in Zaporizhzhia.
    — Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The technology has already been used to bomb elementary school students, scam seniors, and drive dozens of vulnerable users to suicide.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of bomb
Noun
  • Andrii, 54, a Ukrainian soldier whose foot was torn off by a land mine two months earlier, waited for evacuation in a covered trench, about two-thirds of a mile from Russian troops.
    — Serhiy Morgunov, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The situation in Oleshky is desperate, with food and medical supplies running perilously low for the up to 2,000 people still there, as drones and land mines restrict movement.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of land mine
Verb
  • At least one person reported that the children, ages 12 and 5, were trapped on the second floor of the home, officials said.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The site was attacked again with a drone on Sunday, as emergency rescuers were searching for people trapped under the rubble, Ukrainian authorities said.
    — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of trap
Noun
  • Wildlife crossings being built across California to help reduce collisions between animals and vehicles are not enough to protect the state’s at-risk wildlife and should be enhanced with extensive fencing, according to a new UC study.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Dangerously large breaking waves can overpower swimmers, pulling people into the sea from beaches, jetties, and rocks resulting in significant physical injury and increasing the risk of drowning.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of risk
Noun
  • After a rainy day, large numbers may gather in trees and snags, holding their wings open to dry out before continuing their journey.
    — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Their road to the altar hit an early snag when Taylor questioned whether Daniel had followed her on Instagram before filming.
    — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 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 14 Nov. 2026.

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