quicksand

noun

quick·​sand ˈkwik-ˌsand 

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 quicksand

—Robert Wright

Synonyms

• entanglement
• mesh(es)
• morass
• net
• noose
• quagmire
• snare
• tanglement
• toil(s)
• trap
• web

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

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

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

quicksand

noun

quick·​sand ˈkwik-ˌsand 

: a deep mass of loose sand mixed with water into which heavy objects sink