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 No-Fail Chocolate Frosting This smooth, creamy, chocolate frosting is easy to make, with none of the potential pitfalls of fussy European buttercreams. — Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026 Companies operate under this principle by tracking potential pitfalls and planning how to address them. — Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 The courts blocked the policy a year later, but these pitfalls would prove hard for other states to overcome. — Isabella Cueto, STAT, 30 July 2026 Below, experts share the advantages of using yogurt in your garden, along with practical application tips and common pitfalls to avoid. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 29 July 2026 These two issues coming to light in the same week suggest some coaches may need more extensive training or onboarding to make clear the pitfalls of drinking — even away from the club. — Armando Salguero, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026 The Importance of Trust While such alternative off-market business acquisition marketplaces certainly have their fair share of potential benefits, their use also comes with potential pitfalls. — William Jones, USA Today, 20 July 2026 Nick and Charlie have been at the center of the show’s love story, going through the heights and pitfalls of young love over three seasons. — Barry Levitt, Time, 17 July 2026 Unger, the bestselling author of 24 novels, wanted to center her new gothic thriller on the pitfalls of tech. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitfalls

Noun

Some of that is unrelated to de-dollarization, such as concerns about fiscal, inflation and geopolitical risks.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026
Senator Amy Klobuchar supported the delay, citing job protection, while Senator Ted Budd opposed it, warning of consumer risks.

— A.J. Herrington, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of risks

Noun

Secret Service officials have also highlighted threats against Trump from foreign actors, including Iran—amid the ongoing war.

— Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Experts agree that even lower temperatures can pose health threats to vulnerable populations, especially when combined with high humidity.

— Drew Kann, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of threats

Noun

Before every project hits the factory floor, a computer analysis calculates every cut and sorts out unforeseen hitches that can bring traditional projects to a halt such as conflicts between plumbing lines and bearing walls, Glenn said.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
In Houston, some drivers were up to their trailer hitches in lapping waters, while photos from Waco, Texas, showed roadways washed away by the storms.

— Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 15 June 2026

Definition of hitches

Noun

While cybersecurity experts and leaked documents have long exposed the dangers of hostile SIM cards, these risks remain largely unmitigated because SIMs are rarely factored into standard security threat models.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
Swimming in the Seine was officially banned in 1923 amid pollution and the dangers of river traffic.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of dangers

Noun

So now, more than a year later, and after hitting several snags along the way, the election-date change proposal has finally landed on the ballot, labeled Miami Referendum 1.

— Tess Riski July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Although viewed as a bar-setter, the Eagles could hit a few snags this season.

— Mike Jones, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of snags

Noun

The rare, firsthand accounts show the perils faced by tens of thousands of children believed to have been conscripted into the war by all sides.

— Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
Such is the case here, with Glenn Howerton delivering a masterclass on the perils of our increasingly tech-dependent world.

— Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026

Definition of perils

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pitfalls

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“Pitfalls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitfalls. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of pitfalls

noun

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