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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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 pitfall 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 This period was not without dramatic pitfalls. David Amsden, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025 Akli Adjaoute, an artificial intelligence security expert and author of Inside AI, told Newsweek about another pitfall for students. Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitfall
Noun
  • Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025
  • During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • It was postponed indefinitely due to the federal takeover threat.
    Deena Zaru, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The threats are sometimes even leveled against family members.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Lamb’s first drop of the night came on a first-quarter hitch route that looked more like a miscommunication on the route between him and quarterback Dak Prescott.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
  • But organizers of the reunion maintain their event went on without a hitch and that what happened afterwards was an unrelated outlier.
    Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • One major priority of the CCP in this realm is to produce scientific papers on the dangers of climate change and the utility of alternative forms of energy.
    Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The public often does not see the danger because the consequences are hidden in the future.
    Les Rubin, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • For the evening, the top priority remains the east flank of the fire, reinforcing fire lines made during previous shifts and preparing for potential strategic firing operations by removing snags.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Prescott and the Cowboys’ offense took full advantage on their opening drive, using the run game to open up the play-action game, which culminated in star receiver CeeDee Lamb’s first catch, a 32-yard snag.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pitfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitfall. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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