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 That pushed him down a rabbit hole, watching every video on Hansen’s page. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026 Even the Lindsay Clancy trial — hearing all of those conspiracies is fascinating, and I get sucked down a rabbit hole really quickly. — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026 But the tipster had some interesting information to say about this that led us down the rabbit hole, particularly about payments and vehicles. — Joel Feder, The Drive, 9 Sep. 2026 My rabbit hole ended, happily, in this serendipitous Hell Gate profile of the Williamsburg tailor who kept Interpol in fine threads. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 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
  • Hitchcock’s Rear Window, though not a road horror film, is about the moral dilemmas associated with encounters with the other, particularly with regards to voyeurism.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026
  • This is a league-wide dilemma created from an environment that pays its employees handsomely for wins and fires them for losses.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of dilemma
Noun
  • Her discontent is shared by Sam, who’s in his own powerless predicament.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The marvel is how many times friends helped him out of this predicament throughout his life.
    — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of predicament
Noun
  • Some fans are staunch defenders of the polarizing pork sandwich, which consists of a boneless pork patty smothered in tangy barbecue sauce, topped with onions and pickles and served on a toasted roll.
    — Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Most ingredients, including pickles and dressings, are made in-house.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of pickle
Noun
  • Of course, The Château and Woodlands courses offer 18 holes across the rolling hills this region of Georgia is known for.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Defensive holes After the Hurricanes stopped the Tar Heels on their first offensive drive, UNC offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino did a good job of finding holes in the UM defense.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of hole
Noun
  • For the uninitiated, glycation—which can be UV-induced—occurs when excess sugars in the skin bind to its structural proteins.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026
  • More recently, in 2023, Belarusian embassies abroad stopped extending or renewing passports entirely, putting dissidents who fled the country in a similar bind to those from Myanmar.
    — Andrew Nachemson, The Dial, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of bind
Noun
  • To my right, the edge of a brushy swale wound its way down to the big willow swamp 200 yards away.
    — Don J. Dinndorf, Outdoor Life, 31 Oct. 2026
  • For wet soils, consider overcup, swamp white, pin, or nuttall oaks.
    — Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of swamp
Noun
  • Local Halloween shops were opening on every corner, and Party City was [at the time] the main destination.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Wembanyama made a three-point play inside, Julian Champagnie hit a corner 3, and Wembanyama elevated to convert a pass from Stephon Castle into dunk while getting fouled.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 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 7 Nov. 2026.

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