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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rabbit hole
Lots of hip-hop tracks are meant to evoke the woozy dissociation of opioid use, but this one evokes, instead, the not-quite-pleasurable derangement of disappearing down a social-media rabbit hole.
—
Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 15 May 2025
Showcasing that is really important, just to see the slippery slope and to see someone so strong go down this rabbit hole.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 2 May 2025
In ordinary times, the likes of Dawn would be dismissed as crackpots, but in pandemic limbo, with everyone bored and at a loose end, her weird suppositions start to get traction, sending everyone down internet rabbit holes.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 May 2025
Sourcing + Trends Calendar The Archive Apply Now >>
Need to Know
From cabinetry to millwork to flooring, the comfort of richer wood hues resonates again in uncertain times
Of the seemingly infinite home design and improvement topic rabbit holes to fall into, handling millwork is a profound one.
—Jessica Ritz, Architectural Digest, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rabbit hole
Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 15 May 2025
Showcasing that is really important, just to see the slippery slope and to see someone so strong go down this rabbit hole.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 2 May 2025
In ordinary times, the likes of Dawn would be dismissed as crackpots, but in pandemic limbo, with everyone bored and at a loose end, her weird suppositions start to get traction, sending everyone down internet rabbit holes.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 May 2025
Sourcing + Trends Calendar The Archive Apply Now >>
Need to Know
From cabinetry to millwork to flooring, the comfort of richer wood hues resonates again in uncertain times
Of the seemingly infinite home design and improvement topic rabbit holes to fall into, handling millwork is a profound one.
—Jessica Ritz, Architectural Digest, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rabbit hole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rabbit hole
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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Two years ago, when Villa were in a similar predicament, the sale of Martinez was discussed as a last resort before the club decided to move on talented youngsters to balance the books instead.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
20 May 2025
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But this latest landslide win creates a predicament for the Philippines, as the mayor-elect is thousands of miles away behind bars awaiting trial on charges of crimes against humanity.—
Kathleen Magramo,
CNN Money,
17 May 2025
Noun
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In addition to sauces, Pickled Prince sells pickles, giardiniera and kimchi at farmers markets, alongside a funky-looking pickle mascot.—
Ahmed Ali Akbar,
Chicago Tribune,
18 June 2025
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Add 1 tablespoon of the simple syrup and pickle brine.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 June 2025
Noun
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The venue’s sixth hole is a demanding 574 yards, though the back nine eases up with two par-3 offerings.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
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Ideal for making holes in the ground, transferring plants, and softening up soil, the tools are manufactured from sturdy carbon steel but are also lightweight and easy to manipulate.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
17 June 2025
Noun
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Advertisement That confluence of tricky politics has left a lot of D.C.’s political class in a bind.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
23 June 2025
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Here, Malaysia’s efforts revealed the bind of ethical leadership in a realist system.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Noun
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Habitats can change, too; should someone drain that Sudbury shrub swamp, the Appalachian Brown would disappear.—
Lewis Hyde,
Harpers Magazine,
18 June 2025
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This prehistoric swamp will enchant you even before the mind-melting sunset begins.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
29 May 2025
Noun
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Members of his Cabinet have said for months that deals with other countries such as India, South Korea and Japan were just around the corner.—
Tamara Keith,
NPR,
28 June 2025
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The longest Prime Day ever is around the corner — but Amazon is giving us a preview of the stellar discounts to come.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rabbit hole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rabbit%20hole. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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