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
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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Once stationary, turn off all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 2026
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Brazil's meteorology institute, Inmet, said on Thursday morning that more rain with strong winds was forecast, and pointed to a risk of power outages, falling tree branches, flooding and lightning strikes.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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While the resolution to this dilemma ends up somewhat easy, the film remains an alluring liberal power fantasy about challenging systems from within.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
23 Feb. 2026
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Compared with the ostensible consequences of the prisoner’s dilemma, getting fleeced in the snowdrift problem’s scenario isn’t quite as disastrous.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The second run was also smooth, getting through the tough top section without a hitch and pushing through the slower middle section.—
Steve Douglas,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
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The workload can be exhausting, but — so far — Richaud’s outfit changes have gone off without a hitch.—
Brittany Ghiroli,
New York Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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And given that two cops are already sniffing around the Redfellows’ sudden propensity for premature expiration, Becket finds himself in quite a predicament.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2026
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Trump lamented how Mountbatten-Windsor’s predicament would affect Charles, who is expected to visit the US this year, likely in April.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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And so do all the little obstacles and pitfalls along the way.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
23 Feb. 2026
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In an environment in which people scrutinize AI’s pitfalls, how a company tells its story can affect valuation, regulation, and talent recruitment.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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To flavor this dish, use the classic potato salad ingredients, including yellow mustard, pickle relish, and hot sauce.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
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Those interested in home cooking may want to sign up for learning The Art of Pickling with Chef Lex at Haberdish, a $47 class including lite bites for snacking, two 32-ounce glass jars of custom pickles and take-home recipe cards.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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For all Miso’s efforts, the startup has hit snags.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
26 Feb. 2026
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The company’s relationship with the Defense Department has hit a major snag in recent weeks.—
Julia Shapero,
The Hill,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Conrad and returning all-league left fielder Kai Cesare had diving catches that saved multiple runs for San Clemente.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
25 Feb. 2026
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Moore played three seasons with the Cardinals and had at least 40 catches, 350 yards and one touchdown each year, per ESPN, before injuries derailed his career.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catch-22.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch-22. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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