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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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The risk remained even after researchers accounted for how closely people followed a healthy Mediterranean-style diet.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Of course, any intense media scrutiny risks being distracting, especially when it is not directly related to the work of the foundation.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Pay attention, however, and the connection between Mary and Boo becomes more tender as their dilemma deepens, as does the relationship between Mary and her well-meaning, if totally embarrassing, mom.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
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This feels like an apt dilemma to invoke while critiquing a book about an editor.—
Boris Kachka,
The Atlantic,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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With the snow and ice cleared from the track and grandstands, drivers have zoomed around the North Carolina short track built in Bowman Gray Stadium — a multi-use facility that also hosts Winston-Salem State University football games — and went through practice and qualifying without a hitch.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Montreal’s game against Minnesota appeared to go off without a hitch.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Young is one of a number of players who find themselves in this predicament, star-level talents whose production, in one way, shape or form, falls short of the cost of doing business.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Then Culhane’s hat finds itself in a similar predicament.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Advertisement That’s not to say the show escapes every Marvel (and particularly Disney-Marvel) pitfall.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
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This necessitates a reassessment of the stock's valuation to determine whether this represents an opportunity or a pitfall.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Serve with chips and pickle spears for an easy and filling meal.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Vinegar is everywhere these days, and not just in pickles and salad dressing.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The sheets felt slightly softer after washing and drying them, and there were no snags, tears, loose threads, or color fading.—
Brandi Fuller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Jan. 2026
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Long delayed by weather, the flight had overcome two last-minute snags caused by seemingly minor computer and weather problems.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Cards needed receivers and got a good one in Richardson, who led Vanderbilt with 806 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches, and a promising young talent in McCoy.—
Sam Khan Jr,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Hollins came into the league as a valuable special teams player but also provided 46 catches for 550 yards in the regular season for his second-most productive season.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catch-22.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch-22. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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