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
Herd addressed the pitfalls of dating apps with Fortune’s MPW Editor Emma Hinchliffe upon her return.
—
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 17 July 2025
The consultancy cited the lack of C-suite sponsorship, as well as challenges around data readiness and process redesign among the pitfalls.
—Clint Boulton, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
That includes the pitfalls of fame as speculation swirls around a personal life he’s always kept extremely close to the vest.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 7 July 2025
In fact, Iran’s military exemplifies the pitfalls of such an overreliance on low-cost weapons systems.
—Michael C. Horowitz, Foreign Affairs, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 17 July 2025
The consultancy cited the lack of C-suite sponsorship, as well as challenges around data readiness and process redesign among the pitfalls.
—Clint Boulton, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
That includes the pitfalls of fame as speculation swirls around a personal life he’s always kept extremely close to the vest.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 7 July 2025
In fact, Iran’s military exemplifies the pitfalls of such an overreliance on low-cost weapons systems.
—Michael C. Horowitz, Foreign Affairs, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitfall
Noun
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But the number ticking up will add to the Fed's concerns about the inflationary risks of a cut.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
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But in April, according to NPR, the U.S. government eliminated all humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and Yemen, where, the State Department said at the time, providing food risks benefiting terrorists.—
Hana Kiros,
The Atlantic,
15 July 2025
Noun
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The threat to cancel the recess could push senators to avoid stonewalling appointments.—
Miriam Waldvogel,
The Hill,
20 July 2025
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Efforts to recall lawmakers have struggled to go from a mere threat to an actual vote in recent years.—
Clara Hendrickson,
Freep.com,
19 July 2025
Noun
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This is the latest hitch on the tour for an artist known for pulling off tours without even the suggestion of a problem.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
15 July 2025
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Thanks to that, the surprise went off without a hitch.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
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And a report released Thursday by Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, looking at the dangers of fragrances specifically, found that over 98% of fragrance chemicals either lack basic safety data or are classified as high or potentially high concern by scientific authorities.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
21 July 2025
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That’s the unfortunate dual-use conundrum associated with contemporary AI, allowing AI to be used for goodness and also for badness (see my analysis of the dangers of dual-use AI at the link here).—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Noun
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While Sands needed just 19 pitches to cruise through the first two innings, Burrows had two Twins on base in the first inning, then hit a serious snag in the second.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
12 July 2025
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Gatling then lofted the ball a bit in front of Hines, who made a finger-tip snag as his momentum carried him out of the field of play.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pitfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitfall. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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