1
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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2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pitfalls
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
Just as automation ultimately changed manufacturing, AI will undoubtedly reshape how companies operate; however, GM’s experience highlights the pitfalls of not thinking about its implementation carefully.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 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
Mentors provide guidance and help rising leaders avoid pitfalls.
—Matthew C. Meade, Forbes.com, 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
This period was not without dramatic pitfalls.
—David Amsden, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
Meanwhile, discussions about the pitfalls of overtourism have exploded in Europe.
—Gawon Bae, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
There are two main pitfalls that Europe needs to avoid.
—Anatol Lieven, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Just as automation ultimately changed manufacturing, AI will undoubtedly reshape how companies operate; however, GM’s experience highlights the pitfalls of not thinking about its implementation carefully.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 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
Mentors provide guidance and help rising leaders avoid pitfalls.
—Matthew C. Meade, Forbes.com, 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
This period was not without dramatic pitfalls.
—David Amsden, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
Meanwhile, discussions about the pitfalls of overtourism have exploded in Europe.
—Gawon Bae, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
There are two main pitfalls that Europe needs to avoid.
—Anatol Lieven, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitfalls
Noun
-
Others say that approach risks keeping critical documents under wraps and delays a fuller accounting.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
-
At Electric Goddess, their projects begin with an in-depth strategy session to align on goals, risks, and vision before tailoring a plan that fits.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The threats are sometimes even leveled against family members.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Looking at the depth chart, the Eagles now have three threats coming out of the backfield.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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My connection often improved a few minutes later, but those drops could result in stuttering in games, hitches in streaming, and slow file downloads.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
For Thiel, who grew up Lutheran but describes himself as having complicated religious views, his interpretation draws heavily on Girard’s work on sacrifice, violence, and social order, seeing Christianity as uniquely equipped to diagnose the dangers of society that technology can amplify.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
2 Sep. 2025
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But when Veronique reappears, revealing the truth of her birth, Marie-Louise must navigate the dangers of a France on the brink of revolution, where royal ties can be perilous.—
Ashlee Conour,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Crews remain committed to the Garden Fire, which is burning in an area of snags on very steep terrain.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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It's pumiced enough to have no snags, no irks.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Anyone paying attention to the news will understand the current relevance of a story about the perils of life under the imminent threat of deportation.—
Jim Higgins,
jsonline.com,
30 Aug. 2025
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For me, discount shopping, with all of its perils, still has a remnant of emotional resonance.—
Alissa Quart,
Time,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pitfalls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitfalls. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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