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
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of catch-22 But there is a catch-22: If Musk continues his close ties to Trump, the company could alienate potential customers, both at home and overseas, who dislike Trump’s policies. Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2025 The future Astronomical observatories on the far side of the Moon face a bit of a catch-22. ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2025 Really, this is the catch-22 at the heart of the modern celebrity CEO and social media. Callum Booth, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025 But there’s radio silence on how working ATCs are supposed to solve the catch-22 of freeing up time to train with no increase in staffing levels. Ryan Craig, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for catch-22
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch-22
Noun
  • And while the gas is well known for its short-term risks in occupational settings, less is known about the consequences of long-term exposure.
    Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025
  • The discovery comes as fears of a serial killer lurking in the community’s midst continue to loom over the area, with local authorities continuing to downplay the risk.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • The feed surfaces chats containing legal dilemmas, therapy discussions, and deeply personal confessions, often linked to real accounts.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
  • The dilemma GenAI faces is similar to past hyped technology cycles like IoT or blockchain.
    Leonard Lee, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • The show began without a hitch, but about 20 to 25 minutes later, there were whispers of confusion, then a panicked commotion.
    Jordan Friedman, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 July 2025
  • Priyanka's promo for Heads of State appears to have gone off without a hitch otherwise.
    Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • Christopher Boyle of New York County Defender Services and one of Bernier’s lawyers said anecdotally there are many others on Rikers Island in a similar predicament.
    Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025
  • Rodriguez discussed Rose's predicament in an interview on New York City's WFAN radio last week, and made a startling claim about baseball's all-time hits leader.
    Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • Beware the pitfalls As exciting as agentic AI with BDI models can be, there are also potential downsides.
    Tomas Gorny, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Even Wolfe Herd admitted the pitfalls of dating apps.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Stir together mayonnaise, pickle juice, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.
    Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 30 June 2025
  • Served with baby potatoes, bread, and mixed pickles, a fondue is the perfect way to warm up after a day on the slopes or hiking through the valley.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • But despite his popularity in the heavily Democratic state, Newsom’s governorship has continued to hit snags.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 12 June 2025
  • But both hit snags in May as fiscal reality set in.
    Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • But Cardinals outfielder Alec Burleson made the catch, forcing Happ to run back to first base.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025
  • Alas, Denzel Clarke made the catch, and the inning ended without a run for the Yankees.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Catch-22.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch-22. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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