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
The hotel is only for guests 21 and older which is a bit of a catch-22.
—
Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2025
For employees, this creates a catch-22.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Trump is facing a catch-22 in the face of growing fissures at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and mounting departures of scientists and experts over vaccine policy.
—Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 3 Sep. 2025
And yet, these counterattacks may be ensnaring scientists in a catch-22.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catch-22
Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2025
For employees, this creates a catch-22.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Trump is facing a catch-22 in the face of growing fissures at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and mounting departures of scientists and experts over vaccine policy.
—Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 3 Sep. 2025
And yet, these counterattacks may be ensnaring scientists in a catch-22.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catch-22
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch-22
Noun
-
That said, slow running aligns with the zone 2 cardio trend, which promises ample cardiovascular benefit, plus minimized injury risk.—
Jenny McCoy,
SELF,
20 Mar. 2026
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Moreover, such an action risks preventing favorable conditions for a historic dialogue between the governments of the two countries, which are both united by a desire to disarm Hezbollah and strengthen Lebanon’s state capacities.—
Asher Kaufman,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Despite all the developments since the FOMC’s last meeting, Boston College economics professor Brian Bethune said the Fed’s dilemma has not changed.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
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Helen is said to have sacrificed a promising acting career to star in her husband’s films and raise their kids, adding an interesting wrinkle to Ula’s dilemma about breaking the news of her next gig to her parents.—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Euphoria’s Season Three has not gone on without a hitch.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The hitch is the beach, which is used primarily by local fishermen and thus can be pungent.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Terrified teens are expected to explain their predicament to the court and risk dire punishment at home.—
Fraidy Reiss,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
-
As the ballerinas hatch a plan to come out of their predicament alive, bodies begin to drop dead.—
Lé Baltar,
IndieWire,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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To avoid this pitfall, Judge recommends determining a color palette for the space and buying rugs, pillows, planters, and furniture that corresponds accordingly.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
16 Mar. 2026
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Her presentation went over steps needed to take to register to vote, common pitfalls, ballot security and new laws.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The teams barely missed early on, playing at such a pace that Kent had mini pickle juice canisters on the bench to help prevent cramping.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Place them in a cute Weck jar and have a little pickle fork handy.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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However, an endorsement touted posthumously by Stratton caused a snag as Jackson's family withdrew it Monday, saying the draft was not meant for public release.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
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The leather was supple, the finishes clean, and the zipper for the bottom compartment glided without so much as a whisper of a snag.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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On the season, Brown logged 49 catches for 587 yards and five touchdowns.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Brown, a 2019 first-round pick out of Oklahoma, had 49 catches for 587 yards and five touchdowns last season for the Chiefs.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catch-22.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch-22. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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