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 Eventually, a rabbit hole will clog with documents. — Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026 Chris is a freelance journalist who, when not writing or falling further down the Lego rabbit hole, indulges his taste for horror, sci-fi and the post-apocalyptic. — Chris McMullen, Space.com, 15 June 2026 That level of detail means even the smallest uncertainty can send her down a research rabbit hole. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026 My best friend was like, ‘That story is rabbit hole upon rabbit hole upon rabbit hole — no one knows what really happened. — Steve Dollar, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 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
  • The audacious effort was designed to address the Voyagers’ constant dilemma—how to keep the probes running on an ever shrinking trickle of power.
    — Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Democrats are facing a dilemma and Michigan’s Senate primary perfectly illustrated it.
    — Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of dilemma
Noun
  • And Mitchell doesn't waste any time making the life-or-death stakes of the Platts' predicament abundantly clear.
    — Megan McCluskey, Time, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Aemond, too, for that matter, while Daemon’s arrogance continues to get Team Black into all sorts of predicaments.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of predicament
Noun
  • Instead, the culinary team reworked the dressing into a richer, creamier dill ranch designed to mellow the burger’s sharp briny flavors while still letting the pickles shine.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Water-bath canning handles high-acid foods like tomatoes, fruit and pickles.
    — Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of pickle
Noun
  • Instead of slicing and dicing the zucchini, grate it on the large holes of a box grater or the grater attachment of a food processor.
    — Kate Williams, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Naughton said as students arrived for the meetup at the school’s blacktop, the district began filling in a hole on the blacktop from a tree that had been removed earlier in the summer.
    — Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of hole
Noun
  • 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
  • States cannot file for bankruptcy, leaving the Prairie State in an unusually tight bind.
    — Gregory Kearney, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026
Definition of bind
Noun
  • Farther downstream, there was the Lake of the Jarayés and the delta; upstream, the great swamp.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Imagine the ripe smell of swamp-wet dogs, the acrid stench of overheated, enraged bear, the slippery warm blood of pack members already lost; the simply insufferable noise and confusion in that dank little hole.
    — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of swamp
Noun
  • No matter, seconds later Scott's corner threw multiple towels in the ring to stop the fight.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Beanie Bishop, one of the team’s newest corners, had two interceptions and a pass breakup.
    — Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of corner

Browse Nearby Words

rabbit
rabbit hole
rabbit holes
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rabbit hole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rabbit%20hole. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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