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
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
The catch-22 is that suiting up through the pain has probably decelerated the recovery process.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 9 May 2025
This dynamic has created a cruel catch-22 which forces an impossible choice: register and risk immediate deportation, or refuse and become criminalized for noncompliance, destroying any path to legal status.
—Kica Matos, Time, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for catch-22
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
The catch-22 is that suiting up through the pain has probably decelerated the recovery process.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 9 May 2025
This dynamic has created a cruel catch-22 which forces an impossible choice: register and risk immediate deportation, or refuse and become criminalized for noncompliance, destroying any path to legal status.
—Kica Matos, Time, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for catch-22
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch-22
Noun
-
Even 6 inches of moving water can pose a serious risk of knocking you off your feet.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
-
During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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For mid-market companies, this shift presents a dilemma.—
Richard Ricks,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Wrestling over a decade with those rich character dilemmas got Vanderbilt an incredible roster of actors who here work at the height of their game.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Lamb’s first drop of the night came on a first-quarter hitch route that looked more like a miscommunication on the route between him and quarterback Dak Prescott.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
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But organizers of the reunion maintain their event went on without a hitch and that what happened afterwards was an unrelated outlier.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Talking about his predicament in a shaded wedge of grass near the center of Harvard Yard, Sial speaks with a mixture of passion, frustration and weariness, pushing back the shaggy hair that frequently falls over his eyes.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
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All of that resonates with the predicament of Lily Bart.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Her mother and grandmother had gotten through the pitfalls of motherhood without medication or other forms of support; her mom worked a full-time job while raising three kids.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Just as automation ultimately changed manufacturing, AI will undoubtedly reshape how companies operate; however, GM’s experience highlights the pitfalls of not thinking about its implementation carefully.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Not all that long ago Cadillac was in a pickle.—
Scotty Reiss,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Dill is an easy herb to grow and its unique anise flavor complements salads and meats and adds tang to a jar of pickles.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
For the evening, the top priority remains the east flank of the fire, reinforcing fire lines made during previous shifts and preparing for potential strategic firing operations by removing snags.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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Prescott and the Cowboys’ offense took full advantage on their opening drive, using the run game to open up the play-action game, which culminated in star receiver CeeDee Lamb’s first catch, a 32-yard snag.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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There is one catch, though – patients will still need to have completed an initial 18-month course of IV therapy.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 Sep. 2025
-
As for its behavior, Lopez says there’s a chance the swordfish was hunting, using its long bill as a means to stun its prey, making for an easier catch.—
Paloma Chavez,
Sacbee.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Catch-22.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch-22. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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