1
as in risk
a danger or difficulty that is hidden or not easily recognized
buying a house can be full of pitfalls for the unwary
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in threat
something that may cause injury or harm
one of the pitfalls of ignorance is that people will also assume you're stupid
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pitfall
Such an arrangement, however, can carry potential pitfalls, particularly around conflicts of interest.
—
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 14 Mar. 2026
To these critics, the pitfalls of feminist politics—that jealously guarded privileges of race and class keep women from uniting in the interests of their gender—are neatly symbolized in Stanton’s story.
—Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
The pitfalls faced by Lawson, his replacement Yuki Tsunoda and Pérez, plus Alex Albon, and Pierre Gasly before them, largely stemmed from the sensitive nature of the Red Bull cars.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
That’s a story about a composer, and the pitfalls of their ego.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 14 Mar. 2026
To these critics, the pitfalls of feminist politics—that jealously guarded privileges of race and class keep women from uniting in the interests of their gender—are neatly symbolized in Stanton’s story.
—Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
The pitfalls faced by Lawson, his replacement Yuki Tsunoda and Pérez, plus Alex Albon, and Pierre Gasly before them, largely stemmed from the sensitive nature of the Red Bull cars.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
That’s a story about a composer, and the pitfalls of their ego.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitfall
Noun
-
That said, slow running aligns with the zone 2 cardio trend, which promises ample cardiovascular benefit, plus minimized injury risk.—
Jenny McCoy,
SELF,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Moreover, such an action risks preventing favorable conditions for a historic dialogue between the governments of the two countries, which are both united by a desire to disarm Hezbollah and strengthen Lebanon’s state capacities.—
Asher Kaufman,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
With some 80% of power generated in Iran coming from natural gas, the attack posed a direct threat to the country's electricity supplies.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The threat renewed concerns that Tehran may revert to using militant attacks beyond the Middle East as a pressure tactic.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Notably in 2011, the first deployment of the GCC’s Peninsula Shield Force to Bahrain, with Saudi and UAE forces entering the kingdom at the behest of the government, seemed to go off without a hitch.—
Hadley Gamble,
semafor.com,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The group’s first smuggle went off without a hitch — as Pace, Keenan, and Prager ran a load of around 7,000 pounds of pot from Colombia into Maine.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Meloni initially avoided tying her image too closely to the referendum, wary of the danger that a defeat could weaken her domestically and abroad.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Minimize the risk of heat dangers by staying cool and avoiding direct sun exposure.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
However, an endorsement touted posthumously by Stratton caused a snag as Jackson's family withdrew it Monday, saying the draft was not meant for public release.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The leather was supple, the finishes clean, and the zipper for the bottom compartment glided without so much as a whisper of a snag.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pitfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitfall. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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