booby-trap 1 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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
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 See All Example Sentences for booby-trap
Recent Examples of Synonyms for booby-trap
Verb
  • He is accused of attacking a 27-year-old man with a beer mug inside the Hula Bar on Saturday night.
    Jennifer Borrasso, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • Liv Morgan controversially interrupted Iyo Sky's coronation, attacking her and forcing a tap-out.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Earlier this week Iran also pushed back against a statement from France’s President Emmanuel Macron that said France, Oman and others would collaborate on removing mines from the strait.
    Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • Passageways, a nonprofit that helps veterans in Kansas, is hosting a first-of-its-kind 12‑hour party for a small group of veterans at an underground salt mine museum.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Noun
  • Keystone Walkabout 26Max Trailer This hitch-up-and-pull-behind trailer is for those who do everything but sit in camp.
    Kris Millgate, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • But once again, the party went without a hitch.
    Erika Stanish, CBS News, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • After easing through the first three innings, Bryan Reynolds hit a double off the top of the left field fence and Valdez bombed one to left to cut the Phillies' lead to 5-2.
    CBS News, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • There is a bond there that is strong enough, that overwhelming loneliness is bombed.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • One image showing land mines was widely republished by Thai media outlets and bolstered Thailand's claims that Cambodia had laid new mines along the border that wounded patrolling Thai soldiers.
    ABC News, ABC News, 24 June 2026
  • The younger Modrić’s childhood home in the village of Jasenice was abandoned and remains so to this day, with signs warning visitors of land mines in the area.
    Sanat Pai Raikar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 June 2026
Verb
  • Residents also joined the search, using shovels and their bare hands to remove rubble in an effort to reach children trapped beneath the debris.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
  • The child, identified by authorities as Klieber Moran, was rescued after spending six days trapped beneath the rubble, Rodríguez said.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • Traditional studios might adopt Chinese models for some preproduction tasks such as concepting, but the geopolitical and intellectual property risks for commercial generations are too prohibitive.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • Now in its 18th year, The Zac Foundation has provided free water safety camps to more than 25,000 kids in at-risk communities.
    Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • His administration has hit numerous snags in court, with judges reaffirming that the Constitution gives states — not the federal government — authority over elections.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • Gurman claims the foldable is still on track to arrive later this year, despite chatter about manufacturing snags.
    Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 1 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Booby-trap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/booby-trap. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster