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
Slim’s tale illustrates a deadly catch-22 of Jim Crow economics: Whatever Black people acquired, white people could take by force.
—
Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 2 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
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
See All Example Sentences for catch-22
Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 2 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
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
See All Example Sentences for catch-22
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch-22
Noun
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The study also found that swapping potatoes for whole grains lowered diabetes risk even more.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
8 Aug. 2025
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And yet, many still choose to take the risk to come to this country in search of safety and opportunity.—
Sam Wolson,
New Yorker,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Bigelow and screenwriter Noah Oppenheim construct a frighteningly plausible scenario in which a multitude of dilemmas—practical and personal, bureaucratic and existential—overlap in real time and at a mounting rate.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
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Recent tours to the U.S. have been trickier, leaving them with the dilemma of whether sleep is really that important as kick-off times stretch into the early hours.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
Noun
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After a bit of suspense over whether or not Mrs. Astor would attend, Mrs. Astor showed up as a sign of support, and Bertha's ball went off without a hitch.—
Carson Blackwelder,
People.com,
11 Aug. 2025
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The wedding of Sophie and Edward went on without a hitch in June 1999.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
9 Aug. 2025
Noun
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This predicament, occurring just five months after the airline's emergence from bankruptcy, initiated a rally predominantly led by United Airlines stock (NASDAQ: UAL), which saw a 10% increase.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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Witnesses recalled the woman’s behavior at the time of her predicament.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Advocates believe these skills will help students avoid financial pitfalls, like taking on too much debt, and will give them the confidence to make informed decisions about their future.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Aug. 2025
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Below, 17 members of Forbes Coaches Council share expert insights regarding the potential pitfalls of using AI as a replacement for professional coaching, and why human connection is still its primary driver.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Order by the pound, or grab a sandwich with any of their meats served on a bun with pickles and homemade slaw.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Aug. 2025
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Spoon 1/4 of the ground beef evenly across the top of the sheets, followed by shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, diced pickles and onions.—
Gretchen McKay,
Boston Herald,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Then comes the other source of snags: the differences among partners that develop as any plan comes together.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
29 July 2025
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The back-and-forth over the yearlong negotiation process has hit another snag after apparent mixed messaging between the city and the union.—
Alex Brizee
July 18,
Idaho Statesman,
18 July 2025
Noun
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But by the time that center fielder Jackson Merrill’s error on what should have been an inning-ending catch allowed two more runs to score — after another walk — the mission had seemingly switched to giving the Padres as much length as possible.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Aug. 2025
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Teodosio made a spectacular catch in the right-center field gap in the third inning.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Catch-22.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch-22. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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