1
: trap entry 1, snare
specifically
: a pit flimsily covered or camouflaged and used to capture and hold animals or people
2
: a hidden or not easily recognized danger or difficulty
Examples of pitfall in a Sentence
buying a house can be full of pitfalls for the unwary
one of the pitfalls of ignorance is that people will also assume you're stupid
Recent Examples on the Web
The consultancy cited the lack of C-suite sponsorship, as well as challenges around data readiness and process redesign among the pitfalls.
—
Clint Boulton, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
That includes the pitfalls of fame as speculation swirls around a personal life he’s always kept extremely close to the vest.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 7 July 2025
In fact, Iran’s military exemplifies the pitfalls of such an overreliance on low-cost weapons systems.
—Michael C. Horowitz, Foreign Affairs, 4 July 2025
Nearby a few Frieze executives from London discussed the pitfalls of jet lag with an American writer based in Berlin.
—Thessaly La Force, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pitfall
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Clint Boulton, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
That includes the pitfalls of fame as speculation swirls around a personal life he’s always kept extremely close to the vest.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 7 July 2025
In fact, Iran’s military exemplifies the pitfalls of such an overreliance on low-cost weapons systems.
—Michael C. Horowitz, Foreign Affairs, 4 July 2025
Nearby a few Frieze executives from London discussed the pitfalls of jet lag with an American writer based in Berlin.
—Thessaly La Force, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pitfall
Cite this Entry
“Pitfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pitfall. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pitfall
noun
pit·fall
ˈpit-ˌfȯl 
1
: trap entry 1 sense 1, snare
especially
: a covered or camouflaged pit used to capture animals or people
2
: a danger or difficulty that is hidden or is not easily recognized
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