PITFALLS Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

pitfalls

noun

plural of pitfall

as in risks

a danger or difficulty that is hidden or not easily recognized buying a house can be full of pitfalls for the unwary

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in threats

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

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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 pitfalls There are also pitfalls awaiting investors, according to financial advisors. — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026 Navigating the pitfalls of online communication — crafting the perfect message, sifting through the endless stack of profiles — can compound the feeling. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 21 Aug. 2026 Such pitfalls are especially hard to avoid when Russia is the focal point. — Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 He’s often reflected on his pitfalls and tried to compartmentalize his thoughts on a potential solution. — Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026 Most have been candid about the joys and pitfalls of child stardom. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026 Wrestling with the realities of drug addiction is an endeavor rife with pitfalls for any filmmaker hoping to avoid easy judgment. — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026 The novel, inarguably ambitious in scope, begs questions of form and content, and the possibilities and pitfalls of publishing outside traditional pathways. — Keziah Weir, Vanity Fair, 13 Aug. 2026 There is also evidence that extreme privilege can come with real pressures and pitfalls. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitfalls

Noun

When social media constantly reminds us there’s another metric to optimize, healthy self-improvement risks fueling self-criticism and anxiety around our bodies, health and self-image.

— Jennifer Donnelly, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2026
The groups accuse the company of not disclosing all chemicals emitted during the fire, posing health risks for local residents.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of risks

Noun

In addition, the 14-year-old was arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats.

— Jason Green, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
Leaders of two commands, one overseeing the nuclear arsenal and the other focused on cyber threats, declined all three options, asking to maintain the full program.

— Megan Rose, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of threats

Noun

Before every project hits the factory floor, a computer analysis calculates every cut and sorts out unforeseen hitches that can bring traditional projects to a halt such as conflicts between plumbing lines and bearing walls, Glenn said.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
In Houston, some drivers were up to their trailer hitches in lapping waters, while photos from Waco, Texas, showed roadways washed away by the storms.

— Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 15 June 2026

Definition of hitches

Noun

The letter adds to a growing chorus of warnings about the dangers associated with advanced AI and comes shortly after a series of high-profile incidents in which flagship models tested by Anthropic and OpenAI breached testing safeguards.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
New research about the dangers of CTE in football brought out new concerns from parents about the dangers of playing football.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of dangers

Noun

The developments are large even by Ingka’s own standards, Hyvling says, and early operational snags have already surfaced on-site.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
However, Oracle’s decision was at least partly driven by supply chain snags procuring gas turbines rather than environmental considerations, according to people familiar with the events.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of snags

Noun

Whereas many tech leaders have, like Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, touted the benefits of AI, many have also expressed concern about its perils.

— Reuters, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
Yet despite years of warnings from the park’s visitors, attorneys and medical experts about the perils of riding X2, officials at the theme park – located in Valencia, California – and state regulators allowed the attraction to continue operating.

— Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of perils

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pitfall

pitfalls

pith

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“Pitfalls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitfalls. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of pitfalls

noun

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