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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Lower birth weights place babies at a greater risk of health problems, from immediate issues like low oxygen levels to long-term difficulties that range from metabolic to cognitive to neurodevelopment impairments, per the study.—
Sharon Udasin,
The Hill,
23 June 2025
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But Haliburton was playing with a strained calf, and there was more risk for something like this to happen.—
Matt Levine,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
Noun
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This poses a dilemma since water that is applied rolls down the sides of the container without soaking the soil.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
19 June 2025
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Thus far, India has escaped this dilemma because successive U.S. presidential administrations have deliberately overlooked these dalliances.—
ASHLEY J. TELLIS,
Foreign Affairs,
17 June 2025
Noun
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Safety-wise, last year’s Fanatics Fest went off mostly without a hitch.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2025
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The party ended up going off without a hitch, as the pictures Morello shared with Newsweek show.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 June 2025
Noun
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Christopher Boyle of New York County Defender Services and one of Bernier’s lawyers said anecdotally there are many others on Rikers Island in a similar predicament.—
Graham Rayman,
New York Daily News,
29 June 2025
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Rodriguez discussed Rose's predicament in an interview on New York City's WFAN radio last week, and made a startling claim about baseball's all-time hits leader.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 June 2025
Noun
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Beware the pitfalls As exciting as agentic AI with BDI models can be, there are also potential downsides.—
Tomas Gorny,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
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Even Wolfe Herd admitted the pitfalls of dating apps.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
25 June 2025
Noun
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Stir together mayonnaise, pickle juice, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Southern Living,
30 June 2025
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Served with baby potatoes, bread, and mixed pickles, a fondue is the perfect way to warm up after a day on the slopes or hiking through the valley.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
22 June 2025
Noun
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But despite his popularity in the heavily Democratic state, Newsom’s governorship has continued to hit snags.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
12 June 2025
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But both hit snags in May as fiscal reality set in.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
9 June 2025
Noun
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Alas, Denzel Clarke made the catch, and the inning ended without a run for the Yankees.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
28 June 2025
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But Cardinals outfielder Alec Burleson made the catch, forcing Happ to run back to first base.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Catch-22.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch-22. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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