1
as in risk
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 threat
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 pitfall
Grow your plants upright by first understanding the pitfalls of these popular methods.
—
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 May 2026
To be sure, the stock market could continue to climb a wall of worry and rise to new heights, if the largest companies continue to navigate any pitfalls in the current macroeconomic setup and keep expanding their businesses.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 11 May 2026
Some have already pointed out the system’s pitfalls, however.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 11 May 2026
No matter what happens at the SJC, there are still plenty of pitfalls for her.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 May 2026
To be sure, the stock market could continue to climb a wall of worry and rise to new heights, if the largest companies continue to navigate any pitfalls in the current macroeconomic setup and keep expanding their businesses.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 11 May 2026
Some have already pointed out the system’s pitfalls, however.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 11 May 2026
No matter what happens at the SJC, there are still plenty of pitfalls for her.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitfall
Noun
-
Multiple spills — including the 1997 Torch/Platform Irene spill, the 2007 San Francisco Bay Cosco Busan bunker fuel spill, and the 2021 Huntington Beach pipeline leak — have reinforced California’s argument that expanded drilling and aging pipelines pose ongoing environmental risks.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
And other states might not want to take similar risks.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The sheriff's office added that there was no threat to the community and also no suspect at large.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
-
Ackman pushed back on concerns over Microsoft’s $190 billion 2026 capex budget, arguing it as growth investment on a J curve rather than a threat to margins.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The incidents involving contact with chains, trailer hitches, poles, and curbs indicate recurring limitations in detecting smaller or irregular obstacles, especially during reversing maneuvers.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
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What the critics say But the economy’s roaring comeback from the pandemic recession didn’t come without a hitch.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
This danger has led to the creation of various regulations and laws.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
17 May 2026
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Red-flag fire danger warnings have also been issued from Arizona to southern Nebraska, as well as in California’s Central San Joaquin Valley.—
Kyle Reiman,
ABC News,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
The sentencing itself hit a procedural snag.—
Brian Maass,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
-
The lengthy feud between Asuka and Sky hit yet another snag when Sane, a key figure in the storyline, was suddenly and shockingly released by WWE after WrestleMania 42.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pitfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitfall. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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