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
To help steer you clear of any paint color problems (whether foreseen or unforeseen), designers share the top paint color pitfalls.
—
Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026
There are pitfalls in his return.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Common Mistakes When Growing Peppers Indoors To ensure your pepper plants thrive indoors, keep these common pitfalls at top of mind.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 20 Apr. 2026
As a cover track, Isakov is quick to point out the pitfalls of that concept as a whole.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026
There are pitfalls in his return.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
Common Mistakes When Growing Peppers Indoors To ensure your pepper plants thrive indoors, keep these common pitfalls at top of mind.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 20 Apr. 2026
As a cover track, Isakov is quick to point out the pitfalls of that concept as a whole.
—Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitfall
Noun
-
Police had been contacted by Thiamphanit's friends twice the day before her body was found, but the case was allegedly considered medium-risk, per The Times.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
-
And as climate change is likely to cause more storms in the future, more people will be put at risk.—
Devika Rao,
TheWeek,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Another double play ended the threat.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
About $589 million in revenue generated from the tax has not been used, which in part is due to a lack of flexibility in how the money can be used, as well as due to legal concerns amid a threat to overturn the initiative.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Production on Michael wraps without a hitch…or so everyone thinks.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
25 Apr. 2026
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We’re trained, maybe, to think that this is just one hitch in Sasha’s journey, but these dead ends keep popping up.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The only major difference between now and then is that Edwards is now in danger of being dragged down with his ship.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Armed federal agents broke down the door while executing a warrant for someone else, and rounded up the people inside without properly determining whether Juan was a flight risk or a danger to the community, said Lear, his immigration attorney.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
More than two years after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in Maryland — resulting in the deaths of six construction workers and upending a key route that thousands relied on daily — reconstruction has hit a snag.—
Mike Stunson,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Students in Pennsylvania experienced similar snags last week as more state education departments are moving to computerized assessments.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pitfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitfall. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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