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
For now, Russian President Vladimir Putin sees the potential domestic pitfalls of a photo opportunity alongside the US president and his Ukrainian enemy to be far greater than the possible damage incurring Trump’s wrath may cause.
—
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
If none of this is easy, there are obvious pitfalls Republicans should be avoiding.
—The Editors, National Review, 12 May 2025
Frost has revamped the roster by avoiding the pitfalls of focusing too much on star players and rankings.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025
Being the spare to Prince George, the future heir, is a vulnerable place — one fraught with potential pitfalls that her uncle Prince Harry, who also grew up as the spare, has made all too clear.
—Simon Perry, People.com, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
If none of this is easy, there are obvious pitfalls Republicans should be avoiding.
—The Editors, National Review, 12 May 2025
Frost has revamped the roster by avoiding the pitfalls of focusing too much on star players and rankings.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025
Being the spare to Prince George, the future heir, is a vulnerable place — one fraught with potential pitfalls that her uncle Prince Harry, who also grew up as the spare, has made all too clear.
—Simon Perry, People.com, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitfall
Noun
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There was also a high risk of severe weather issued the afternoon of Sunday, May 18 for parts of Oklahoma and Kansas.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
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Due to the risk of flooding, hail, and tornadoes, the NWS had to seek help from other offices.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 May 2025
Noun
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Piani, who also wrote the film’s script, weaves in compelling ruminations on family troubles, self-actualization, llamas (yes), and even the creeping threat of old age and illness.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
20 May 2025
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Microsoft began publicizing its quantum computing protections in 2023 with its Quantum Safe program, which intended to harden the company’s entire portfolio against the threat of quantum computing breaking encryption.—
Michael Muchmore,
PC Magazine,
20 May 2025
Noun
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Her four-hour surgery went off without a hitch, and her recovery did as well.—
Hedy Phillips,
People.com,
20 May 2025
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New piece Karl-Anthony Towns replaced Randle without a hitch, and Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart bring that Villanova toughness and skill to both sides of the ball.—
Jack Magruder,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Noun
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Scientists with Oceana and governmental and conservation organizations say the whales also face dangers from entanglement in commercial crabbing and fishing gear and vessel strikes.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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The danger is real: Many Venezuelan TPS holders have been on social media loudly calling for international sanctions against Maduro.—
Andres Oppenheimer,
Miami Herald,
21 May 2025
Noun
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Listen to this article Two and a half years after the vast majority of Denver voters approved an initiative requiring apartment buildings and restaurants to recycle and compost more of their waste, the city’s implementation of that mandate has hit another snag.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
14 May 2025
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The upholstery is of nice quality, too—no snags or sagging, at least at this point—and there’s some subtle variation in the coloring that adds a bit of depth (my bed features the Stone fabric, but bouclé is also available).—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
12 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pitfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitfall. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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