catch-22

noun

ˈkach-ˌtwen-tē-ˈtü How to pronounce catch-22 (audio)
Definition of catch-22next
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of catch-22 The Catch-22 Blocking a Cure There is no cure for endometriosis. — Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2026 There’s a catch-22 for April stargazers. — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026 The court’s decision left medical professionals in a Catch-22. — Virginia Hammerle, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026 In response, Epstein suggests Tom Wolfe’s The Bonfire of the Vanities, Theodore Dreiser’s The Financier, and Joseph Heller’s Catch-22. — Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for catch-22
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch-22
  1. risk
  2. dilemma
  3. hitch
  4. predicament
  5. pitfall
  6. pickle
  7. snag
  8. catch
Noun
  • An executive order followed in August 2025, then OCC bulletins in September telling banks to base service decisions on objective risk.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Given the risk of punishment or even execution, some contributions are anonymized or voices altered.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of risk
Noun
  • In India’s tech city Bengaluru, 24-year-old graphic designer Aditi Garg faces a similar dilemma.
    — Priyanka Salve,Raksha Murali, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The backtracking illustrates how the politics of criminal justice have shifted since 2020, posing dilemmas for Democrats’ midterm strategy and their ability to enact their preferred solutions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
Definition of dilemma
Noun
  • Harper was encouraged by the interagency work between different public partners that helped the eight matches go off without a major hitch.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Sims catches a hitch and turns up field but fumbles the ball while switching hands.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of hitch
Noun
  • With so many clubs stuck in that vast middle, Detroit’s predicament illustrates the fluid nature of this deadline.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 30 July 2026
  • Now, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert faces an awkward predicament.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of predicament
Noun
  • This report examines three of 2026's worst-performing Closed-End Funds (CEFs) with market caps over $250 million to highlight common pitfalls.
    — Michael Foster, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • No-Fail Chocolate Frosting This smooth, creamy, chocolate frosting is easy to make, with none of the potential pitfalls of fussy European buttercreams.
    — Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of pitfall
Noun
  • New items this year include pickle pies, apple donut ham grinders, mango sticky rice refreshers and longanisa cheese curd lumpia.
    — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Layer roll bottoms with ham, pickles, pork, and cheese; fold fillings to fit buns as needed.
    — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of pickle
Noun
  • So now, more than a year later, and after hitting several snags along the way, the election-date change proposal has finally landed on the ballot, labeled Miami Referendum 1.
    — Tess Riski July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • That trend continued Friday, as Allen pulled down a one-handed snag from quarterback Patrick Mahomes during 11-on-11s that served as the day’s top highlight.
    — Jesse Newell, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of snag
Noun
  • Often, the review said, officers had to subdue aggressive dogs by the neck with a catch pole in order to load them onto patrol vehicles without ramps and walk them up to cages, a departure from industry standards.
    — Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Allen has led Kansas City’s wide receivers in catches during 11-on-11 periods.
    — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of catch

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Cite this Entry

“Catch-22.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch-22. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of catch-22 for Spanish Speakers

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