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
Her mother and grandmother had gotten through the pitfalls of motherhood without medication or other forms of support; her mom worked a full-time job while raising three kids.
—
Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
The pitfalls of a India-China-Russia pact The scenes from the 2025 Tianjin Shanghai Cooperation Summit had an overdose of bonhomie and brotherhood among three of the world’s four most powerful nations.
—Happymon Jacob, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
But the search continues, and despite all those pitfalls, hospitals and physicians are using unapproved tests that are available to screen patients, often at exorbitant costs.
—Cory Franklin, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
Are there pitfalls to using life insurance loans?
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
The pitfalls of a India-China-Russia pact The scenes from the 2025 Tianjin Shanghai Cooperation Summit had an overdose of bonhomie and brotherhood among three of the world’s four most powerful nations.
—Happymon Jacob, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
But the search continues, and despite all those pitfalls, hospitals and physicians are using unapproved tests that are available to screen patients, often at exorbitant costs.
—Cory Franklin, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
Are there pitfalls to using life insurance loans?
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitfall
Noun
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Pilots allow organizations to learn, adapt, and de-risk before scaling up.—
Peter Bendor-Samuel,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Getting confronted with gruesome, horrific imagery has, unfortunately, become an assumed risk when logging onto social media.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Pressing global issues, including Russia and Ukraine, Russia's threat to NATO's Eastern flank and the war in Gaza will surely be a main topic for the leaders.—
Michelle Stoddart,
ABC News,
16 Sep. 2025
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The ozone layer's healing demonstrates that entire nations can coordinate to address planetary threats.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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According to Champion, the wedding went off without a hitch — in no small part because her husband-to-be was very hands-on throughout the planning process.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 Sep. 2025
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The two-door, three-person Can-Am Defender Limited and the four-door, six-person Defender Max Limited have 82-horsepower engines, power steering, tow hitches with a 2,500-pound towing capacity, winches, air conditioning and heating, a full hard roof and a three-position tilt-up glass windshield.—
Steve Waters,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Concerns have already been raised over the dangers of nudification apps that can be used to create pornographic images of people without their consent.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Wildfire danger shifts specifically to California over the next few months, Aman said.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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While this usually indicates a healthy corporate sector, some worry this narrowness may lead investors to misprice risks, particularly as some industries hit snags in an uncertain economic environment.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
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On the northeast and east side, firefighting crews continue to mop up and strengthen existing lines by removing snags and completing hose lays across steep, rocky terrain, and old-growth vegetation.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pitfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitfall. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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