minefield

noun

mine·​field ˈmīn-ˌfēld How to pronounce minefield (audio)
1
: an area (as of water or land) set with mines
2
: something resembling a minefield especially in having many dangers or requiring extreme caution
a political minefield

Examples of minefield in a Sentence

This issue is a political minefield.
Recent Examples on the Web Prioritizing speed, the army may blast a path through an active minefield in order to advance quickly without fully clearing it. Justin Ling, WIRED, 19 Feb. 2024 For Barrett Pall, who modeled for 10-plus years before transitioning into acting, there are no apparent rules in the fashion industry, with every job a potential minefield. Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 9 Feb. 2024 But some analysts believe the company will be able to navigate its way through the mounting minefields throughout the year. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2024 After these drones eliminate initial targets, military vehicles fight through minefields to begin the ground assault. Eric Schmidt, Foreign Affairs, 22 Jan. 2024 That may come in the form of uncrewed land vehicles, which could crash through Russian lines and clear the dense minefields in its way. Justin Ling, WIRED, 4 Jan. 2024 For most folks, finding the best deal means wading through a minefield of attractive introductory offers and enticements. Simon Hill, WIRED, 26 Feb. 2024 Operation Goldfish Today, the narrow road leading to the secret base is framed by minefields, seeded as a line of defense in the weeks after Russia’s invasion. Michael Schwirtz, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2024 The Ukrainians can then use this information to develop an optimal breaching strategy for a minefield. Vikram Mittal, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'minefield.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of minefield was in 1884

Dictionary Entries Near minefield

Cite this Entry

“Minefield.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minefield. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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