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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Jen and Lilia — now seemingly under someone’s (Teen’s?) spell, eyes glowing a frosty, neon blue — throw Agatha into the quicksand. Caroline Framke, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for quicksand 

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 14 Nov. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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