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

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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 Avoid common pitfalls Witnessing someone going through a PMAD can put you on an emotional rollercoaster. Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 12 June 2026 But even if price action is muted, there are other pitfalls related to other trading vehicles which hold SpaceX equity. Tyler Bailey, CNBC, 10 June 2026 All Californians will feel the effect, and the pitfalls that will come are not worth the risk. Daniel Bunn, Oc Register, 1 June 2026 The Bruins’ success in the batter’s box also has helped raise the tide of a team that could’ve fallen into many pitfalls. Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitfall
Noun
  • The letter warns that those credits are now at risk of expiring, and argues that they should be made refundable or transferable.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 19 June 2026
  • His attorneys said his blood sugar levels were only checked once a month in the jail, putting him at risk of organ failure or even death.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • Russian air defenses have appeared incapable of dealing with the threat.
    Gianluca Mezzofiore, CNN Money, 20 June 2026
  • My office will continue to vigorously prosecute defendants who pose serious threats to our community’s safety, especially our children.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • The automaker’s overhauled its entire operations from service to production to get R2 off the ground and into the mass-market arena without a hitch, according to the automaker’s CEO.
    Joel Feder, The Drive, 10 June 2026
  • Troopers say remember three things before hitting the road with a trailer or hitch.
    Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 9 June 2026
Noun
  • The November killing of Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez, the popular mayor of Uruapan, Michoacan, highlighted dangers for politicians who stand up to cartels and criminal groups.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
  • Love was vilified for Cobain’s death, accused of complicity, exploitation, or worse, resulting in a real sense of danger.
    Quinn Moreland, Pitchfork, 14 June 2026
Noun
  • Ionic technology helps regulate heat and flatten thick hair types while eliminating frizz, and the ceramic plates deliver a shiny, snag-free finish that's especially useful for thick hair prone to tangles.
    Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 18 June 2026
  • Despite overall improvements across the district in both the high school EOC STAAR test and the 3-8 exams, Licata announced last week that more than a dozen schools experienced notable snags that would qualify them for the Elevate network.
    Samuel O’Neal and, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Pitfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitfall. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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