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
Relevance
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 comment was an apparent reference to recent land mine explosions along the border that triggered tensions between the two countries.
—
Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 14 Dec. 2025
During the dictatorships after World War II, the natural barrier of the Accursed Mountains was fortified, set about with land mines, and patrolled, effectively isolating the stronghold of Albania from the rest of the world.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
If Hamas fails to disarm, that will give Netanyahu an excuse to restart the war and avoid all the political land mines that the next phases present him.
—Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
If Hamas fails to disarm, that will give Netanyahu an excuse to restart the war and avoid all the political land mines that the next phases present him.
—Thomas Friedman, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for land mine
Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 14 Dec. 2025
During the dictatorships after World War II, the natural barrier of the Accursed Mountains was fortified, set about with land mines, and patrolled, effectively isolating the stronghold of Albania from the rest of the world.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
If Hamas fails to disarm, that will give Netanyahu an excuse to restart the war and avoid all the political land mines that the next phases present him.
—Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
If Hamas fails to disarm, that will give Netanyahu an excuse to restart the war and avoid all the political land mines that the next phases present him.
—Thomas Friedman, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for land mine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for land mine
Noun
-
With the snow and ice cleared from the track and grandstands, drivers have zoomed around the North Carolina short track built in Bowman Gray Stadium — a multi-use facility that also hosts Winston-Salem State University football games — and went through practice and qualifying without a hitch.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Montreal’s game against Minnesota appeared to go off without a hitch.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The risk remained even after researchers accounted for how closely people followed a healthy Mediterranean-style diet.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Of course, any intense media scrutiny risks being distracting, especially when it is not directly related to the work of the foundation.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The sheets felt slightly softer after washing and drying them, and there were no snags, tears, loose threads, or color fading.—
Brandi Fuller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Long delayed by weather, the flight had overcome two last-minute snags caused by seemingly minor computer and weather problems.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Land mine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/land%20mine. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
