quicksand

noun

quick·​sand ˈkwik-ˌsand How to pronounce quicksand (audio)
1
: sand readily yielding to pressure
especially : a deep mass of loose sand mixed with water into which heavy objects readily sink
2
: something that entraps or frustrates
lead poor people into consumerist quicksandRobert Wright

Examples of quicksand in a Sentence

freed from the quicksands of war mired in the quicksand of credit card debt
Recent Examples on the Web Unfortunately, the two decisions put Indians into constitutional quicksand. Daniel Mandell / Made By History, TIME, 14 Oct. 2024 Then Teen uses this sudden magic to hurl both other women into the quicksand. Erik Kain, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024 Kyren Williams, who has made a career of rushing through the Cardinals’ defense, was in quicksand for most the game with 25 yards and a score. Jay Paris, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024 Wise companies will keep plowing through this quicksand and prepare for the next wave. Andrew Winston, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for quicksand 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'quicksand.' 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

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of quicksand was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near quicksand

Cite this Entry

“Quicksand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quicksand. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

quicksand

noun
quick·​sand ˈkwik-ˌsand How to pronounce quicksand (audio)
: a deep mass of loose sand mixed with water into which heavy objects sink

More from Merriam-Webster on quicksand

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