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

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 All three major averages were able to skirt major pitfalls in October to end the month higher, bringing their year-to-date gains to double-digit advances. Sarah Min, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025 The issue is how to inject capital without falling prey to some of the pitfalls of aid dependency. Charlie Campbell, Time, 30 Oct. 2025 To some extent, these pitfalls are unavoidable. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025 Obsidian Entertainment has done an admirable job avoiding those pitfalls in its work, and 2019’s The Outer Worlds is a great example. Jason Fanelli, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitfall
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
  • Unfortunately, Packers quarterback Jordan Love will go into the game without one of his top receiving threats, who came into the game with a questionable tag.
    Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Every team is a threat in the league.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2025
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
  • People get in the bathtub, think something, bathe themselves and then stand up from the bathwater, all of this is rather ordinary, but even the most ordinary thing in this world can conceal considerable danger.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Sensing danger, Charlie doubles down on sucking up.
    Caroline Framke, Vulture, 10 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

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Cite this Entry

“Pitfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitfall. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.

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