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 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
In a catch-22, until the company is able to reduce its coal dependency, analysts expect its performance in the short- to medium-term to continue being dictated by coal-price movement.
—Phisanu Phromchanya, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
In a catch-22, until the company is able to reduce its coal dependency, analysts expect its performance in the short- to medium-term to continue being dictated by coal-price movement.
—Phisanu Phromchanya, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catch-22
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch-22
Noun
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The most significant risk for 2025, the executives said, is if companies take a substantial hit to their bottom line or ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWs) see their wallets squeezed.—
Doug Gollan,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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The greatest storm coverage is expected from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. There is a moderate risk of life-threatening rip currents at all area beaches.—
Garfield Hylton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Lee’s version stars frequent collaborator Denzel Washington as a music mogul who becomes the target of a ransom demand that forces him into a moral dilemma, between life and death.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2025
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According to my company's Prescription Habits Report, 48% of those over 55 have been forced to choose between their medications and essential bills, while 45% of adults aged 35 to 54 face the same dilemma.—
Alexandra Robertson,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
The Foundation series Cybertruck includes Full Self Driving (an $8,000 value) and a trailer hitch.—
Brooke Crothers,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
-
The flight continues without a hitch, and Fielder attempts to open the lines of communication with his copilot, Aaron, by repeatedly asking him if everything is okay.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
26 May 2025
Noun
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In fact, the predicament of Enphase Energy illustrates the risks of heavily investing in a single stock.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
-
Two boaters were rescued from a treacherous predicament on a raging river in Maryland, officials said.—
Brooke Baitinger,
Miami Herald,
21 May 2025
Noun
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Knowing what to look for—and what to avoid—can help hiring managers find top talent while avoiding pitfalls like unconscious bias or inconsistent standards.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
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Back-to-school shopping could also be stifled by fears of what is to come as economists are already having discussions about how the Christmas season could also face pitfalls with the tariffs.—
Lexi Lonas Cochran,
The Hill,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
Bake a tray of chicken tenders (store-bought or homemade), set out flour tortillas, and offer a few sauces, pickles, and shredded lettuce.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 June 2025
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Its menu includes the 8oz Trump Cheeseburger and the 16oz Trump Tower, both with fries, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles and Trump Sauce.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Noun
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But the snag is that group is getting smaller and smaller.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
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Following the completion, an acrobatic snag near the left sideline, McCarthy raced down the field and chest-bumped the 6-foot-5, 252-pound Muse.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Noun
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Simply put, there’s no catch to this initiative - NEVEN just asks those who are accepted into the program to share their new glasses on social media to help spread the word.—
Quentin Thane Singer,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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Thomas had just one catch for eight yards but finished his fourth straight season with 1,300-plus receiving yards and a ring.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
1 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Catch-22.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch-22. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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