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
This is to some extent a consequence of how quickly the government had to act in the face of that emergency, a catch-22 between ensuring that the money would be going to actually help people who needed it and having to get billions out the door at lightning-speed.
—
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
If the original idea behind streaming music was empowering artists and creating a digital hub of all music, this current era offers a newfangled catch-22.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for catch-22
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
If the original idea behind streaming music was empowering artists and creating a digital hub of all music, this current era offers a newfangled catch-22.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for catch-22
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch-22
Noun
-
While everyone can be affected by smoke or ozone, the MPCA says those at higher risk of health complications include outdoor workers, older adults, children, those who are pregnant, and those who have heart or lung conditions.—
Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
8 May 2026
-
Regardless, much of the developing world is made up of much younger countries, with populations in Africa, for example, at much lower risk of serious outcomes from COVID-19 than elderly individuals with comorbidities in the United States or Western Europe.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
For example, the false dilemma logical fallacy has become a very popular way to persuade people to incorrectly believe there are only two options.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
While the work’s English title might indicate a sense of amusement or distraction, the Chinese title is an idiom that refers to being caught in a dilemma, like a boat that has left one shore but has not yet reached the other.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Had that gone off without a hitch, it would've been forgotten.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
-
In the aftermath of the BAFTA Film Awards, the BBC created a new set of protocols, which now need to be unleashed without a hitch as the public broadcaster bids to avoid a repeat of the disaster.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Our predicament was worsened by the motor-laden, vertically floating canoe that offered little support and would not be blown or pushed ashore, and by the loss of untethered life cushions and the lack of life jackets.—
Jim Hoagland,
Outdoor Life,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Eddie Howe experienced a similar predicament and challenges on the financial front, with a desire for squad rejuvenation.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The 77-year-old monarch faced a number of possible pitfalls from a bombastic US president known for creating controversy and generating headlines at the lowest moment for US-UK relations in modern history.—
Max Foster,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
-
In the first, Batula defends dating Wilson by alluding to something Miller said on the show about the pitfalls of dating white men as a Black woman.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Breakfast also featured a fish main (a thick cut of salmon with miso sauce), pickles, rice, and miso soup.—
Mae Hamilton,
Travel + Leisure,
8 May 2026
-
Our recipe adds a touch of sweetness with sweet pickle relish and makes enough to serve 12.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Bleday of a hit to end the sixth, a snag that came with Friedl on second base representing the go-ahead run.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
-
The Calambokidis plan quickly hit some snags.—
Robin Romm,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Maloney was also successful at FIU, breaking the program bowl-game record for most catches (10) and most receiving yards (178).—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Seafood Market's fishermen deliver their morning catch directly to the kitchen, no middlemen, no frozen Pacific sole flown from Vietnam.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catch-22.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch-22. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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