pitfall

noun

ˈpit-ˌfȯl How to pronounce pitfall (audio)
Definition of pitfallnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The European Union’s long project to build the continent into a fortified zone of peace and prosperity has hit a new pitfall. — The Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026 As African industry professionals convened at this year’s Durban FilmMart, both the potential and pitfalls of artificial intelligence were high on the agenda. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 To avoid the pitfalls of apps like Tinder and Hinge—where women are vastly outnumbered by men and are therefore overwhelmed by choice while men receive very few matches—FirstDate uses a Nobel Prize-winning matching theory algorithm. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026 Hastert was aware of the personal pitfalls of holding the powerful position. — Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitfall
  1. risk
  2. threat
  3. hitch
  4. danger
  5. snag
Noun
  • The wide availability of low-cost, powerful open models is one reason Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has warned that open models in particular pose a risk of widespread and potentially devastating cyber attacks.
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • That could represent either a benefit or a risk for shareholders, as decision-making would become faster but have fewer checks.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of risk
Noun
  • Beyond the immediate threat to crude supplies, damage to refining infrastructure could pose a more persistent challenge to global energy markets.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Trump has repeated threats to take out power plants and other infrastructure.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of threat
Noun
  • Some games entirely errored out, some had hitches, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chips were targeting relatively low-end gaming to begin with.
    — Sean Hollister, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Both body styles come with Helmsman badging and a tow hitch for easily transporting small boats or kayaks.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of hitch
Noun
  • Earlier this week, missiles fired by the Houthis struck a residential area in Taiz, killing two teenage girls and renewing attention on the dangers faced by civilians.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Gigantic Fantastic also explores the development of steroids themselves, their physiological effects, as well as other image and performance-enhancing drugs and their dangers.
    — Gavin Francis, The New York Review of Books, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of danger
Noun
  • Anything can be arranged here, from private wine tasting tours and hot-air balloon rides to hard-to-snag dinner reservations.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The 23-year-old Texas product, whom the Packers took in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, caught six passes from quarterback Jordan Love for a career-high 123 yards, including a 50-yard snag to help Green Bay humble the Bears.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of snag

Browse Nearby Words

piteous
pitfall
pitfalls
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Cite this Entry

“Pitfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitfall. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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