Definition of pitfallnext
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 Trapasso says these are trendy pitfalls that can have potential buyers turning right back around. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 31 May 2026 But there's also some pitfalls. Charles Trepany, USA Today, 28 May 2026 This came with its own risks, intellectual pitfalls that the researchers were careful to avoid. Robert Lea, Space.com, 27 May 2026 But some are discovering that chasing clout comes with pitfalls. Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitfall
Noun
  • The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center upgraded the Chicago area to a level 4 out of 5 on its severe risk scale, meaning widespread severe storms are likely.
    CBS News, CBS News, 12 June 2026
  • This risk decreases as the storm moves away.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • Walter Urbon then flew out to right to end the threat.
    Jose de Jesus Ortiz, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
  • At its height nearly 20 years ago, India’s leader described the Maoists as the country’s biggest internal security threat, a blight on its status as the world’s largest democracy and its aspirations of becoming a global power.
    Dhruv Tikekar, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • Things do not go down without a hitch, despite Hollis’s exceptional menu planning and hosting abilities.
    Alessandra Codinha, InStyle, 3 June 2026
  • Legal glitches and hitches will eventually be found when AI laws are passed without suitable scrutiny and analysis.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • The horror sensation, a frenetic thriller about the dangers of romantic fixation, has been doing unprecedented business, with ticket sales increasing in its second and third weekends.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 7 June 2026
  • The award is centered on equipping frontline units with unmanned systems that can detect, map, and assess hazardous environments without putting soldiers directly in danger.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 June 2026
Noun
  • Licata, though, mentioned a snag in performance for more than a dozen schools.
    Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 June 2026
  • Japan's Softbank Group plunged 10% amid a broader decline in tech names and after efforts to secure at least $6 billion through a margin loan backed by its OpenAI stake hit a snag, according to Bloomberg News.
    Sean Conlon,Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 9 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Pitfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitfall. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.

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