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

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 Carbon capture fuels avoid the environmental pitfalls of traditional biofuels, which often rely on monoculture crops like sugarcane that can damage biodiversity and compete with food production. Megan Frye, CNN Money, 21 May 2025 However, there are certain pitfalls to avoid in order to use and scale technology in the right manner: • Simulation must not be implemented in silos; rather, it should be tightly integrated with design, testing and manufacturing. Ajay Parihar, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 The Red Sox bullpen held serve and was able to avoid some potentially dangerous pitfalls. Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 20 May 2025 Blending all the pitfalls of high school life with the occasional dip-in from the spirit world, Sabrina broke free from a certain kind of multi-camera restriction to offer up a comedy that was timeless for more reasons than the immortality of its characters. 41. Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitfall
Noun
  • Avoiding spicy and acidic foods, and doing your best to lower the risk of constipation by eating plenty of fiber can also help with symptoms, says Narayanan.
    Korin Miller, Flow Space, 30 May 2025
  • Here are suggestions for staying safe during a thunderstorm: To minimize risk of being struck by lightning, when going outside, have a plan to get to a safer place.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • If President Trump makes good on his threat to shift disaster response to the states, Florida and other states on the front lines of climate change will be the first to suffer.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
  • This watch is in effect until 10 p.m. What to do as threat of lightning approaches?
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • The flight continues without a hitch, and Fielder attempts to open the lines of communication with his copilot, Aaron, by repeatedly asking him if everything is okay.
    EW.com, EW.com, 26 May 2025
  • The Foundation series Cybertruck includes Full Self Driving (an $8,000 value) and a trailer hitch.
    Brooke Crothers, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Noun
  • Deputy Pilot Jonathan Lozada noted that the dark surroundings added to the danger of the rescue.
    Sam Gillette, People.com, 3 June 2025
  • Along the coast, a different danger is lurking — a south swell bringing with it elevated surf up to 6 feet high and rip currents.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • But the snag is that group is getting smaller and smaller.
    Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
  • Following the completion, an acrobatic snag near the left sideline, McCarthy raced down the field and chest-bumped the 6-foot-5, 252-pound Muse.
    Alec Lewis, New York Times, 29 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pitfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitfall. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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