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
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Prosecutors had opposed bail and argued there was a risk that Roberts-Smith would flee Australia or interfere with witnesses and evidence.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Yet technology experts warn that outsourcing key decisions to AI exposes consumers to risks, potentially leading to communications errors and costing people money, while also potentially handing hackers the keys to their data.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Sox faced an interesting dilemma in the 11th inning on Saturday.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
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That’s Duncan’s dilemma from the very beginning of this fitfully hilarious episode of The Audacity.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Both ballot measures failed, but post-election analysis showed that both counties pulled off all-mail balloting without much of a hitch or any challenge to its procedures or validity.—
ORLANDO SENTINEL AND MIAMI HERALD EDITORIAL BOARDS,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
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The second test went off without a hitch in 2019.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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After realizing their predicament, the couple was forced to swim to a buoy about a mile from shore.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
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The inward-looking nature of the melancholy Dane — conflicted and cocooned in his thoughts, paralyzed by his own intelligence, while the world constantly reflects back to him his own psychological predicament — feels oddly suited for our solipsistic times.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As a cover track, Isakov is quick to point out the pitfalls of that concept as a whole.—
Chris Barilla,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
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But owning the Universal Monsters comes with some pitfalls that the studio hasn’t been able to navigate.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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And at least one pickle pope blessing people with herbs.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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Chicken wings brined in salt and pickle juice, as well as salads, will also appear on the menu.—
Jenna Thompson
April 10,
Kansas City Star,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Your intense focus can turn initial success into lasting momentum, while positive self-talk prevents burnout if any snags slow the pace.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
17 Apr. 2026
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But in typical Netflix-binge-method fashion, the episode’s closing sequence obliterates any narrative snags by shocking us with a cliffhanger.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Tyagi followed with the wicket of Brevis when the South African batter sliced a tame catch to short third and Kolkata added 50 of the final five overs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
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Bell and Miami’s Malachi Toney were only two FBS receivers last season with 800-plus yards after the catch.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catch-22.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch-22. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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