pitfalls

Definition of pitfallsnext
plural of pitfall
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

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 One of the pitfalls of natural cleaners is that solutions must be well-balanced to be effective. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026 Bathrooms are functional spaces, so avoiding common renovating pitfalls is important. Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 9 Mar. 2026 That’s a story about a composer, and the pitfalls of their ego. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026 Most everyone in attendance at 2220 seemed to be there to meet or support one of their favorite artists, one of the devout purists of our time who manages to remain that without getting smug, lazy or feral, all common pitfalls. Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026 The intense scrutiny on student walkouts thrust young people into new roles navigating the pitfalls, logistics and emotional debate of speaking out on a divisive political topic. Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026 Character, which requires some luck to draft, can transcend the pitfalls of losing. Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026 Legislators on Connecticut’s General Law Committee are considering a bill aimed at ensuring consumers understand the potential pitfalls of medical credit cards before signing up. Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2026 To avoid potential pitfalls, choose crops that will work with your specific growing conditions. Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitfalls
Noun
  • The Middle East war, which has shown little sign of easing, may continue to push China’s producer prices higher at least through March, said Zhang, warning that a prolonged conflict risks tipping the global economy into stagflation.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 Mar. 2026
  • That could raise new credit risks for emerging markets, warned Fitch Ratings, as higher oil prices bloat subsidy and import bills and disrupt remittances, tourism and investment flows.
    Claire Jiao, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • By processing large volumes of data quickly, AI can help determine which drones represent actual threats and which might be acting as decoys within a swarm.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2026
  • But Malema was convicted of hate speech for making threats last year, and his party won less than ten per cent of the national vote in the most recent South African election—hardly a ringing endorsement of his ideas.
    Boyce Upholt, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • But her journey hasn’t been without a few hitches.
    Aaron Tolentino, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The draft horse shows this week during the stock show’s 120th anniversary will include 15 six-horse hitches, or six horses pulling a wagon.
    Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Normally restrictive about releasing information on Iranian hits and damage, Israeli authorities in recent days have sought to educate the public about their dangers, which can persist as unexploded bombs on the ground even after civilians leave shelters.
    Melanie Lidman, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
  • However, as in the case of watching a partial solar eclipse, there are inherent dangers in attempting to sight a comet so close to the sun.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The Stormwater Board can deal with clearing snags in Burns Waterway, and the park department can maintain and operate the marina.
    Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
  • That mission, which will send three Americans and one Canadian on a 10-day trip around the moon, has faced a series of delays due to snags with NASA's mammoth Space Launch System rocket developed specifically for the lunar program.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • How to generate more revenue — and the wide differences that exist over how to fund the growth — received less attention at the White House meeting full of big-picture speeches about the perils facing college sports.
    Eddie Pells, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
  • How to generate more revenue — and the wide differences that exist over how to fund the growth — received less attention at the White House meeting full of big-picture speeches about the perils facing college sports.
    ABC News, ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Pitfalls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitfalls. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

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