1
: trap entry 1, snare
specifically
: a pit flimsily covered or camouflaged and used to capture and hold animals or people
2
: a hidden or not easily recognized danger or difficulty
Examples of pitfall in a Sentence
buying a house can be full of pitfalls for the unwary
one of the pitfalls of ignorance is that people will also assume you're stupid
Recent Examples on the Web
Companies that master security reviews in this new era could turn compliance into a competitive advantage, winning trust from clients and partners wary of regulatory pitfalls.
—
Pukar Hamal, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
To distance international institutions from the pitfalls of power politics is also to divorce them from the rejuvenating spring of national politics.
—Stacie E. Goddard, Foreign Affairs, 28 July 2025
Off screen, Warner managed to sidestep the pitfalls and scandals that so many child stars face.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 22 July 2025
And while a plethora of picks sounded terrific on the surface, Eager’s job was to give Morgan the data about the potential triumphs and pitfalls of such a decision.
—Mike Kaye
july 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pitfall
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Pukar Hamal, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
To distance international institutions from the pitfalls of power politics is also to divorce them from the rejuvenating spring of national politics.
—Stacie E. Goddard, Foreign Affairs, 28 July 2025
Off screen, Warner managed to sidestep the pitfalls and scandals that so many child stars face.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 22 July 2025
And while a plethora of picks sounded terrific on the surface, Eager’s job was to give Morgan the data about the potential triumphs and pitfalls of such a decision.
—Mike Kaye
july 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Cite this Entry
“Pitfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pitfall. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pitfall
noun
pit·fall
ˈpit-ˌfȯl 
1
: trap entry 1 sense 1, snare
especially
: a covered or camouflaged pit used to capture animals or people
2
: a danger or difficulty that is hidden or is not easily recognized
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