1
as in risk
a danger or difficulty that is hidden or not easily recognized
the drug lowers cholesterol, but the catch-22 is that it mainly lowers good cholesterol
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2
as in dilemma
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
the catch-22 faced by every first-time loan applicant: how to get a loan without a credit history
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3
as in problem
a situation in which one has to choose between two or more equally unsatisfactory choices
an environmental catch-22: building wind farms results in scenic eyesores; not building wind farms results in greater pollution from fossil fuels
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of catch-22
And yet, these counterattacks may be ensnaring scientists in a catch-22.
—
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2025
And that might have to be proactively driven by the healthcare system instead of the government — in order to break the catch-22.
—Simar Bajaj, NPR, 12 Aug. 2025
Now, however, the situation is almost like a catch-22 in which everyone loses.
—Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 28 July 2025
Indeed, the Oscar winner describes the catch-22 dance of needing to be a member of the Screen Actors Guild to get work, but also needing to have worked to be admitted into the Screen Actors Guild in the first place.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for catch-22
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2025
And that might have to be proactively driven by the healthcare system instead of the government — in order to break the catch-22.
—Simar Bajaj, NPR, 12 Aug. 2025
Now, however, the situation is almost like a catch-22 in which everyone loses.
—Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 28 July 2025
Indeed, the Oscar winner describes the catch-22 dance of needing to be a member of the Screen Actors Guild to get work, but also needing to have worked to be admitted into the Screen Actors Guild in the first place.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for catch-22
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch-22
Noun
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How do soldiers assess risk or make life-or-death decisions?—
Big Think,
Big Think,
18 Oct. 2025
-
New research found missing a first mammogram was linked to a higher risk of breast cancer death.—
Julia Landwehr,
Health,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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With its iconic captains, philosophical dilemmas and unforgettable alien encounters, the Trek universe is rich with lore, logic, and a whole lot of technobabble.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
19 Oct. 2025
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Charles’ dilemma was one perhaps unique to royals.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Season 51 of the variety series has seemed to have gone on without a hitch after several notable names left the show ahead of the new season's premiere.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Alubidy grabbed a trailer tow hitch and bludgeoned the 5-foot-tall, 130-pound victim.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The work chronicles Pan Am’s predicament during the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the flying boat service the carrier had in the Pacific.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
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The city’s current trash predicament traces back to Measure B, a city ballot measure passed in 2022 that ended the decades-long practice of San Diego providing free trash service to single-family homes and many small townhome and apartment complexes.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Gunaratnam said the test shows the potential pitfalls when insurance and testing companies might not be familiar with a patient's full history.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
12 Oct. 2025
-
In her interview with Us Weekly, Rimes said the lifetime achievement that gives her the most pride is surviving the pitfalls of child stardom — noting that many others have died young.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Remember when Tyreek Hill was drinking pickle juice during a 2020 Chiefs game?—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
20 Oct. 2025
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Mixed with celery, red onions, peas, lemon juice and sweet pickles the pasta salad is delicious with just a few effortless ingredients.—
Sofia DiStefano,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Morrell, a former BP exec who was appointed by former Disney CEO Bob Chapek, departed after a series of snags that ultimately doomed Chapek’s tenure as CEO.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
16 Oct. 2025
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It’s also completely sold out on the Madewell website, so this is a rare snag.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Anglers who want to keep their catch fresh on a long drive home are better served to cover fish in a dry livewell with ice.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Oct. 2025
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Well, that all changed on Monday night when the 23-year-old exploded for 218 total yards – 136 on the ground on 17 attempts and 82 through the air on three catches – as well as two rushing touchdowns in Detroit’s 24-9 win over Tampa Bay.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Catch-22.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch-22. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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