catch-22's

variants or catch-22s
plural of catch-22
1
as in risks
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
as in problems
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch-22's
Noun
  • But this should be guided and individualized by the right expert in terms of counseling and determining both the risks and benefits of sports based on the cardiac diagnosis and type of sport engaged in by the athlete.
    Nicole Williams, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
  • And the economic risks of higher inflation and lower consumption as a result of the fuel shortages could not have come at a worse time.
    Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • Expect plenty of action, interpersonal tensions and philosophical dilemmas around destiny and morality.
    Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Unlike many gardening dilemmas there's actually one right answer, and our gardening experts are here to break down exactly what that is.
    The Spruce, The Spruce, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • Before every project hits the factory floor, a computer analysis calculates every cut and sorts out unforeseen hitches that can bring traditional projects to a halt such as conflicts between plumbing lines and bearing walls, Glenn said.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • In Houston, some drivers were up to their trailer hitches in lapping waters, while photos from Waco, Texas, showed roadways washed away by the storms.
    Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
Noun
  • Rather than bridging shortfalls, both Seattle and Washington now face more difficult fiscal predicaments, Joblon said.
    Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 18 May 2026
  • The madman strategy is for not-crazy leaders caught in adverse predicaments.
    David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • One image showing land mines was widely republished by Thai media outlets and bolstered Thailand's claims that Cambodia had laid new mines along the border that wounded patrolling Thai soldiers.
    ABC News, ABC News, 24 June 2026
  • The younger Modrić’s childhood home in the village of Jasenice was abandoned and remains so to this day, with signs warning visitors of land mines in the area.
    Sanat Pai Raikar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • Burgers can come simple, adorned with just a smear of mustard or mayo and maybe a leaf of lettuce, or piled high with pickles, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, bacon and even an onion ring.
    Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
  • Before opening her store, Altshuler had prepared three hundred and sixty jars of pickles to sell, and eventually started giving them away to people who donated books.
    Emma Allen, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
Noun
  • The gauntlet of booby traps culminating in the giant boulder that kick off Raiders is my single favorite opening sequence in a movie ever.
    Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly, 13 June 2026
  • Picture Indiana Jones swapping his fedora for a Han dynasty helmet, dodging booby traps in dusty Chinese tombs.
    Urnesha Bhattacherjee, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Even with a pair of bogeys on the final four holes, Fleetwood did enough Saturday — a 1-under 69, his third round under par this week — and was five shots behind Sam Burns.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
  • His 197 strokes over the closing 54 holes a year ago are tied for the second-fewest in the history of the Open.
    Justin Ray, New York Times, 18 July 2026
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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Catch-22's.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch-22%27s. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster