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
Legislators on Connecticut’s General Law Committee are considering a bill aimed at ensuring consumers understand the potential pitfalls of medical credit cards before signing up.
—
Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2026
To avoid potential pitfalls, choose crops that will work with your specific growing conditions.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 26 Feb. 2026
Jon Robinson sat in this chair, understands the pitfalls.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Consumer advocates said what happened is an auto insurance pitfall that could cost you if you're not prepared.
—Larry Seward, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2026
To avoid potential pitfalls, choose crops that will work with your specific growing conditions.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 26 Feb. 2026
Jon Robinson sat in this chair, understands the pitfalls.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Consumer advocates said what happened is an auto insurance pitfall that could cost you if you're not prepared.
—Larry Seward, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitfall
Noun
-
The risk when one person holds the top job for decades is that talented executives who aspire to be CEO get frustrated and leave.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Attorneys for Meta say the company discloses risks and makes efforts to weed out harmful content and experiences -- acknowledging that some bad material still gets through its safety net.—
MORGAN LEE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For the United States and its allies, however, countering the Shahed threat appears to be a game of catch-up, some experts say.—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
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Although Iran has not made the closure official — the ban was announced by a Revolutionary Guard representative on national TV — its threats have proved to have teeth.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
An underslung spare wheel holder and Cruisemaster DO35 articulating hitch are standard, and optional upgrades include an airbag suspension and rear recovery points.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The hitch is that there is a very small window in which to complete the check — just three days.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Some regional producers, including in Iraq, have curbed output amid dangers in the Strait of Hormuz.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026
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Some regional producers, including in Iraq, have already curbed output amid dangers in the Strait of Hormuz.—
Jon Gambrell,
Fortune,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Resolving the union issue has been a snag in every previous discussion to combine CBS News and CNN over the years, according to several former executives at both outlets.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The Mercedes driver endured a bit of a rollercoaster debut season, hitting a performance snag during the European stretch of the 2025 calendar and struggling with confidence.—
The Athletic,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pitfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitfall. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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