land mine

noun

Definition of land minenext
as in hitch
a danger or difficulty that is hidden or not easily recognized parents of teenagers never know when they might set off an emotional land mine

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 land mine The pledge follows land mine blasts that injured three South Korean soldiers; Seoul says North Korea planted the mines, while Pyongyang denies responsibility and threatens retaliation. — Kim Tong-Hyung, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 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, 12 Oct. 2026 His Minderoo Foundation—named for the cattle ranch of his childhood—has since given about $28 million to Ukraine’s schools and agricultural projects, and to clearing land mines. — Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 23 Sep. 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 See All Example Sentences for land mine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for land mine
  1. hitch
  2. risk
  3. snag
  4. booby trap
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
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
Noun
  • Four years later, Kaczynski started adding booby traps around his cabin, and throughout the 1980s, he was accused by his neighbors of poisoning their dogs, The New York Times reported in 1999.
    — Katie Mather, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The booby traps continue with an overhead pendulum ax that swings into an unlucky archaeologist.
    — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of booby trap

Browse Nearby Words

landmasses
land mine
land mines
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Cite this Entry

“Land mine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/land%20mine. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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