rabbit hole

noun

Definition of rabbit holenext
as in dilemma
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape shoreline residents are finding themselves helplessly falling down a rabbit hole in their Sisyphean efforts to halt beach erosion

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 rabbit hole So when her son, Reed, now 15, was diagnosed with dyslexia 10 years ago, Knopf went down a rabbit hole of literacy education. — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026 An investigation begins that sends the characters in this flick down an internet rabbit hole inspired by David Lynch, John Carpenter and the like. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026 This season, which is set in Philadelphia, Reacher has harrowing encounter on a subway train that leads down a deep rabbit hole involving a high-level government conspiracy. — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 And his father—an entrepreneurial success in his own right—led him further down the investing rabbit hole. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rabbit hole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rabbit hole
  1. dilemma
  2. predicament
  3. pickle
  4. hole
  5. bind
  6. swamp
  7. corner
Noun
  • Before this dilemma can play out, Hal triggers an Indiana Jones–esque booby trap inside the compound’s stronghold, summoning Macon’s men with their advanced weaponry.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Democrats are happy to point out the dilemma facing their Republican opponents.
    — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of dilemma
Noun
  • On the screen, in a series of daredevil adventures, the actor had extricated himself from a hundred impossible predicaments.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • For Tinubu and his chief adversaries Atiku and Obi, then, Nigeria’s security predicament will require more than election season sloganeering.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of predicament
Noun
  • Without natto, miso soup, and pickles, my breakfast does not feel complete.
    — Michiko Tomioka, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026
  • In the book’s 16 central chapters, Roden wanders from central categories such as yogurt, egg dishes, breads and pickles, showing how the countries of this region prepare stunning variations of common foodstuffs.
    — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of pickle
Noun
  • Graham birdied the last two holes to earn a precious halve against 17-year-old Miles Russell.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Cash transfers, fund swaps, delayed pension contributions and one-time revenues can make the budget look balanced while the ACFR still shows a hole.
    — Sheila Weinberg, Baltimore Sun, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of hole
Noun
  • Feasting on neutrality Few illustrate the current bind better than Caitlin Clark.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The Hightower high lord and his armies have occupied Tumbleton and have Rhaenyra in something of a bind.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of bind
Noun
  • Black rat snakes occupy an expansive range of habitats, from swamps and marshes to forests and fields.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
  • If a group chat has become a swamp of half-answers and reaction icons, step in with a quick summary.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of swamp
Noun
  • Jacob Ramsey’s equaliser was also a demonstration of composure in a pressurised moment, with the midfielder calmly slotting into the bottom right-hand corner, making sure to keep his effort low.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Mensah capped that drive with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Toney and the two connected on a 2-yard score on the next possession with Toney punctuating both TDs with a Heisman pose for the Hurricanes fans in that corner of the stadium.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of corner

Browse Nearby Words

rabbit
rabbit hole
rabbit holes
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Cite this Entry

“Rabbit hole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rabbit%20hole. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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