PITFALLS Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

pitfalls

noun

plural of pitfall

as in risks

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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as in threats

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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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 pitfalls This unique combination maintains all-to-all connectivity while minimizing the typical pitfalls of atom movement, including error accumulation, atom loss, and runtime delays. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026 Panelists also share practical guidance on identifying legitimate opportunities, avoiding common pitfalls and building meaningful industry connections. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026 The Utah university where Charlie Kirk was assassinated last September released a report on Thursday examining the security pitfalls in advance of Kirk’s murder. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2026 There are disputes over everything from factual accuracy to legal pitfalls to punctuation. — Mike Hogan, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026 That seems like a no-brainer but there are pitfalls waiting for the unprepared tree planter. — Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Sep. 2026 Here’s how the restraining order process is supposed to work — and the pitfalls that prevent many applications from moving forward. — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026 John Madden‘s Onwards and Sideways succeeds better than most in avoiding the pitfalls. — Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026 Ronson uses Chism’s guilelessness to show how unexpected and profound the pitfalls can be for anyone looking to find a foothold in the new world. — Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitfalls

Noun

The pope, who has made sounding the alarm about the risks of AI a central part of his 16-month papacy, put the issue at the heart of his visit to France.

— Joshua McElwee, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
What didn’t happen were promises of purchases or agreement on addressing artificial intelligence risks, the war in Iran or taking steps toward resolving other vexing world challenges.

— Kevin Breuninger,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of risks

Noun

The center will test uncrewed platforms under realistic operational conditions and threats, including degraded or denied communication environments.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
Last month, the Jacksonville Jaguars became the first NFL team to publicly announce an agreement with a drone defense company, seeking to protect against interruptions or security threats.

— Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of threats

Noun

That type of physicality can come in handy on plays like quick hitches, screens, drags run over the middle of the field.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026
The process had a few hitches in it caused by the divorce, but the Swopes showed up regularly at their immigration meetings as scheduled, working through the long process.

— Ben Fenwick, Oklahoma Watch, 12 July 2026

Definition of hitches

Noun

Tiny creatures like crabs and ants traveled huge distances, encountering all sorts of dangers—driven by the instinct to lay eggs and reproduce at any cost.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
As a dark parable for the dangers of climate change, the film has already proved polarizing, with early reviews coming in mixed.

— Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of dangers

Noun

Their ensuing ascent is defined as much by the tensions between backgrounds, classes and competing ambitions as by the perils of the mountain itself.

— Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026
Corus Entertainment Gossling knows the perils and profits of traditional pay TV and has positioned the Canadian broadcast giant to revamp its business model for the streaming age.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of perils

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pitfall

pitfalls

pith

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“Pitfalls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitfalls. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of pitfalls

noun

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