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 Some Minnesota legislators and gambling addiction advocates are telling lawmakers to pump the brakes on legalized sports betting as new research outlines pitfalls in other states. Nick Halter, Axios, 9 Jan. 2025 As the late Malcolm Muggeridge noted, the twin pitfalls of religious experience are unctuousness and spiritual exhibitionism. K. Lloyd Billingsley, Orange County Register, 8 Jan. 2025 Furthermore, consider engaging experts to supplement internal capabilities, as specialists can help bring best practices and assist organizations with avoiding common pitfalls like misaligned expectations and underestimated budgets and timelines. Andrei Kasyanau, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025 Birdwatching tourism in Colombia has so far managed to avoid many of these pitfalls. Benji Jones, Vox, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for pitfall 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitfall
Noun
  • But research shows that the conditions of people's lives and their environments heavily influence why some populations are at higher risk than others.
    Amy Maxmen | KFF Health News, ABC News, 18 Jan. 2025
  • The letter also states that Kelley Black put the district at risk of violating the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
    Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Those funds went toward identifying and responding to health emergencies and stopping disease threats from spreading across borders, according to the WHO’s website.
    Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
  • When faced with uncertainty, the amygdala—the part of the brain responsible for detecting threats—triggers a fight-or-flight response.
    Tess Brigham, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Instead, he’s accomplished the miraculous feat of returning from a 1,006-day absence with barely a hitch in his step.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
  • And though for the majority of brides and grooms, their special day goes off with hardly a hitch, every so often, a true disaster happens that ensures the event is memorable ...
    Alex Apatoff, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Also, dress warmly when walking outside in cold weather to avoid frostbite and other dangers of cold exposure.
    Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Bob Lee, a veteran wildlife officer and author, will describe the excitement and dangers game wardens face every day.
    Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Barring a last-minute snag, the #Lions OC lands with an NFC North rival.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Listen to this article TEL AVIV, Israel — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday a deal to return hostages held in the Gaza Strip has been reached, after his office had said earlier there were last minute snags in finalizing a ceasefire that would pause 15 months of war.
    Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near pitfall

Cite this Entry

“Pitfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitfall. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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