Thesaurus results for BOOBY-TRAPS

booby traps 1 of 2

noun

plural of booby trap

as in mines

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in risks

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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booby-traps

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of booby-trap

as in attacks

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

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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 traps

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 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 In the days leading up to the attack, Ghazali allegedly rigged his truck with booby traps, fireworks, explosives, and large amounts of gasoline. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2026 The movie’s biggest laughs come from Kevin’s hijinks, which involve setting up complex booby traps to fend off a pair of burglars targeting his family’s home. — Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026 Their 2025-26 season has been littered with injury landmines and other booby traps hidden in the walls of Ball Arena. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 30 Jan. 2026 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 While claims of booby traps and rivers of mercury would likely make anyone think twice about entering the tomb, this is not the main barrier to full excavation. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for booby traps

Noun

New mines take decades to develop, and existing ore grades are declining, highlighting vulnerable supply chains.

— Rob Kaplan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Until 1725, India was the world’s lone source of diamonds, and the stone, once weighing over 190 carats, was no doubt discovered in one of the country’s famous mines.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of mines

Noun

Since 2021, nearly 50 North Carolina hospitals and the state’s health department have begun distributing the wristbands, to give mothers and care providers a visual reminder of the life-threatening health risks after birth.

— Andrew Jones, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
The rapid release of stockpiles in the wake of disruption related to the Iran war is raising the operational risks.

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of risks

Noun

Since the wars ended, land mines and unexploded ordnance have killed approximately 90,000 people and wounded almost twice as many across the three countries.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
More than any other sports league, the WNBA is fraught with land mines that are ready to explode whenever a Black woman — like, Alyssa Thomas — commits a hard foul on, say, the league’s most visible star, Caitlin Clark.

— Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 July 2026

Definition of land mines

Noun

Before every project hits the factory floor, a computer analysis calculates every cut and sorts out unforeseen hitches that can bring traditional projects to a halt such as conflicts between plumbing lines and bearing walls, Glenn said.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
In Houston, some drivers were up to their trailer hitches in lapping waters, while photos from Waco, Texas, showed roadways washed away by the storms.

— Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 15 June 2026

Definition of hitches

Noun

As Rhaenyra slowly descends into a pit of despair and desperation, Daemon and his armies run into some snags on their assault of Tumbleton thanks to the various tricks Lord Ormund has up his sleeves.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Despite my pup’s best attempts, there have been no snags or stains.

— Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of snags

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“Booby traps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/booby%20traps. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of booby traps

noun

verb

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