as in hitch
a danger or difficulty that is hidden or not easily recognized
the gotcha in the low monthly rate quoted by the cable company is that it is a teaser and good for only six months
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gotcha
There is little doubt that this is a rapidly developing field and that there are tremendous upsides to be had, but at the same time, regrettably, hidden risks and outright gotchas come into these endeavors too.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Portland artist Sam Pletcher threw the gotcha grenade with a scathing gram.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2025
Where a much less charitable filmmaker might frame the contradiction as a gotcha, Meeropol frames it as an evolution in thinking.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2025
Devers eventually agreed to be the DH but then played a game of punitive gotcha with management by refusing to grab a glove and give first base a try after Triston Casas ruptured his left patellar tendon and was lost for the season.
—Steve Buckley, New York Times, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gotcha
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Portland artist Sam Pletcher threw the gotcha grenade with a scathing gram.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2025
Where a much less charitable filmmaker might frame the contradiction as a gotcha, Meeropol frames it as an evolution in thinking.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2025
Devers eventually agreed to be the DH but then played a game of punitive gotcha with management by refusing to grab a glove and give first base a try after Triston Casas ruptured his left patellar tendon and was lost for the season.
—Steve Buckley, New York Times, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gotcha
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gotcha
Noun
-
Pike subtly checked from a 10-yard hitch route to a go route for receiver Binns, who streaked down the sideline against press coverage to haul in a diving, game-winning touchdown in the back corner of the end zone.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
However, the primary mission of Blue Origin’s January launch — delivering a test satellite called the Blue Ring Pathfinder to orbit — went off without a hitch, prompting the company to declare the flight a success.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Wireless systems also pose new safety risks, such as stray magnetic fields, fire hazards, and heating of metal objects, requiring further research and development (R&D) and stricter standardization.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Oddly empty flight = higher risk of cancellation.—
The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Despite the potential pitfalls, many remain undeterred by DIY challenges.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Sandwich generation faces financial pitfalls Even though most adults don't want their aging parents to live with them, many still find themselves in that situation.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Lemon had a career-high 161 yards through the air and Lane’s 74 included several diving snags and one spectacular one-hander in the end zone despite tight coverage.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Close all zippers and fasteners to prevent snags or tears.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
An ugly opening half, which featured the teams combining for 6-of-24 shooting in the game’s first 10 minutes, saw the visiting Wildcats catch fire from beyond the arc.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Nov. 2025
-
DeVonta Smith is the top target for Hurts with 44 receptions for 588 yards and two scores, while tight end Dallas Goedert has seven TD catches.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
During the dictatorships after World War II, the natural barrier of the Accursed Mountains was fortified, set about with land mines, and patrolled, effectively isolating the stronghold of Albania from the rest of the world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
-
If Hamas fails to disarm, that will give Netanyahu an excuse to restart the war and avoid all the political land mines that the next phases present him.—
Thomas L. Friedman,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The new version still sees the ball kicked from the kicking team’s 35-yard line, but every player on the kicking team other than the kicker himself now lines up with at least one foot on the returning team’s 40-yard line.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Packers kicker Brandon McManus attempted a last-second, 64-yard field goal that fluttered and fell nowhere close.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gotcha.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gotcha. Accessed 21 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share