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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pitfall
Gunaratnam said the test shows the potential pitfalls when insurance and testing companies might not be familiar with a patient's full history.
—
Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 12 Oct. 2025
In her interview with Us Weekly, Rimes said the lifetime achievement that gives her the most pride is surviving the pitfalls of child stardom — noting that many others have died young.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Buckle up for a college football Saturday loaded with potential pitfalls for big-name programs.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Growing up in the Cities, you are exposed to certain pitfalls that every youth has, opportunities for self-sabotage; reading Basil Johnston’s books and digging into my art with that reflecting in mind helped keep me out of trouble and steer me towards being an artist.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 12 Oct. 2025
In her interview with Us Weekly, Rimes said the lifetime achievement that gives her the most pride is surviving the pitfalls of child stardom — noting that many others have died young.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Buckle up for a college football Saturday loaded with potential pitfalls for big-name programs.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Growing up in the Cities, you are exposed to certain pitfalls that every youth has, opportunities for self-sabotage; reading Basil Johnston’s books and digging into my art with that reflecting in mind helped keep me out of trouble and steer me towards being an artist.
—Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitfall
Noun
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About 400 staff positions across the KC-area Head Start sites are also at risk if the sites close permanently, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said earlier this month.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
31 Oct. 2025
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The risk of sabotaging commercial success evidently didn’t deter her.—
Amy Weiss-Meyer,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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When coupled with existing infrastructure like alarms, access systems, and IoT sensors, AI systems help ensure potential threats are actioned swiftly and autonomously.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
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In return, Annabelle’s group perceived the alliance as a threat and started spending more points on military.—
Kaleb Demerew,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Head coach Kevin Young replaced Mark Pope without a hitch last year, and the Cougars have headliner status with the addition of AJ Dybantsa.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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Many have had the wheels or hitches removed years ago.—
Cassie Powell,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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However, by game’s end, the Senators were outchanced in the high-danger area 9-6 at five-on-five, according to Natural Stat Trick.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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The recalls range from children’s bed rails to mattresses and furniture posing hazards such as entrapment, fire risk, and tip-over dangers.—
Daniel Orton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Below, snag must-have savings before the sale ends on October 29.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
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The Miami Hurricanes hit their first snag of the season with their upset loss to the Louisville Cardinals on Friday.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pitfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitfall. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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