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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pitfall
Her mother and grandmother had gotten through the pitfalls of motherhood without medication or other forms of support; her mom worked a full-time job while raising three kids.
—
Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
The pitfalls of a India-China-Russia pact The scenes from the 2025 Tianjin Shanghai Cooperation Summit had an overdose of bonhomie and brotherhood among three of the world’s four most powerful nations.
—Happymon Jacob, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
But the search continues, and despite all those pitfalls, hospitals and physicians are using unapproved tests that are available to screen patients, often at exorbitant costs.
—Cory Franklin, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
Are there pitfalls to using life insurance loans?
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
The pitfalls of a India-China-Russia pact The scenes from the 2025 Tianjin Shanghai Cooperation Summit had an overdose of bonhomie and brotherhood among three of the world’s four most powerful nations.
—Happymon Jacob, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
But the search continues, and despite all those pitfalls, hospitals and physicians are using unapproved tests that are available to screen patients, often at exorbitant costs.
—Cory Franklin, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2025
Are there pitfalls to using life insurance loans?
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitfall
Noun
-
Pilots allow organizations to learn, adapt, and de-risk before scaling up.—
Peter Bendor-Samuel,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Getting confronted with gruesome, horrific imagery has, unfortunately, become an assumed risk when logging onto social media.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
It was postponed indefinitely due to the federal takeover threat.—
Deena Zaru,
ABC News,
9 Sep. 2025
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The threats are sometimes even leveled against family members.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Lamb’s first drop of the night came on a first-quarter hitch route that looked more like a miscommunication on the route between him and quarterback Dak Prescott.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
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But organizers of the reunion maintain their event went on without a hitch and that what happened afterwards was an unrelated outlier.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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One major priority of the CCP in this realm is to produce scientific papers on the dangers of climate change and the utility of alternative forms of energy.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Sep. 2025
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The public often does not see the danger because the consequences are hidden in the future.—
Les Rubin,
Boston Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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For the evening, the top priority remains the east flank of the fire, reinforcing fire lines made during previous shifts and preparing for potential strategic firing operations by removing snags.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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Prescott and the Cowboys’ offense took full advantage on their opening drive, using the run game to open up the play-action game, which culminated in star receiver CeeDee Lamb’s first catch, a 32-yard snag.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pitfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitfall. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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