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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Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pitfall Making good personnel moves is at the heart of what constitutes success in this league, but avoiding pitfalls can be just as important. The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024 Through the years: President Jimmy Carter Carter knew the personalities and pitfalls, the egos and secrets, the maps and ledgers. Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024 Sporting Brembo brakes and KYB suspension, the LFS 700 also avoids the pitfall of utilizing the cheap components that most Chinese offerings are infamous for. New Atlas, 23 Dec. 2024 Neglecting security measures This is one of the biggest pitfalls many of us fall into. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 22 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pitfall 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitfall
Noun
  • For every 2,000 steps a person walks, their risk of cancer, heart disease and premature death lowers by 10%, peaking at 10,000 steps daily, according to two studies published in JAMA Neurology and JAMA Internal Medicine.
    Renée Onque, CNBC, 18 Jan. 2025
  • Assess your risk The importance of all this advice depends on a person’s health and their exposure to poor quality air.
    Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Ripple effects through the economy The likely closing of more colleges is by itself a threat to the economy.
    Jon Marcus, NPR, 8 Jan. 2025
  • German Chancellor Olaf Scholz sent a warning to President-elect Trump over border rules as the incoming president continues his threat of taking over Greenland.
    Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The flag of the Islamic State group was on the truck's trailer hitch, the FBI said.
    ERIC TUCKER, JIM MUSTIAN, TIME, 2 Jan. 2025
  • The flag of the Islamic State group was on the truck’s trailer hitch, the FBI said.
    Eric Tucker, Jim Mustian, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The air district’s governing board convened Friday, lamenting the widespread destruction from the wildfires and the persisting danger from heavy smoke.
    Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
  • As for the air tankers' operations over smoldering hillsides, the most immediate danger would seem to be to the aviators.
    Bill Chappell, NPR, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Lamar Jackson led a furious final push down the field, capped with Isaiah Likely’s spectacular would-be game-tying touchdown snag.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
  • When tested with Velcro and sharp jewelry, snags and holes were immediate and very noticeable.
    L.A. Hubilla, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near pitfall

Cite this Entry

“Pitfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitfall. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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