1
as in risk
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
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2
as in dilemma
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
the catch-22 faced by every first-time loan applicant: how to get a loan without a credit history
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3
as in problem
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of catch-22
Trump is facing a catch-22 in the face of growing fissures at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and mounting departures of scientists and experts over vaccine policy.
—
Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 3 Sep. 2025
And yet, these counterattacks may be ensnaring scientists in a catch-22.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2025
And that might have to be proactively driven by the healthcare system instead of the government — in order to break the catch-22.
—Simar Bajaj, NPR, 12 Aug. 2025
Now, however, the situation is almost like a catch-22 in which everyone loses.
—Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for catch-22
Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 3 Sep. 2025
And yet, these counterattacks may be ensnaring scientists in a catch-22.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2025
And that might have to be proactively driven by the healthcare system instead of the government — in order to break the catch-22.
—Simar Bajaj, NPR, 12 Aug. 2025
Now, however, the situation is almost like a catch-22 in which everyone loses.
—Jerry Shnay, Chicago Tribune, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for catch-22
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch-22
Noun
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The risk to coffee production from climate change has some researchers trying to develop more climate-resistant varieties of coffee.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
-
This can increase the risk of burns or further injury.—
RikkiLynn Shields Hannigan,
Health,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The only way to understand the thought process of the most prominent founders is to inhabit that dilemma.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
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Fortunately, this is a dilemma with several solutions.—
Kat Boogaard,
CNBC,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The only hitch was the two-handed pinch-and-hold gesture for rotating some objects.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
22 Oct. 2025
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Season 51 of the variety series has seemed to have gone on without a hitch after several notable names left the show ahead of the new season's premiere.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The work chronicles Pan Am’s predicament during the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the flying boat service the carrier had in the Pacific.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
21 Oct. 2025
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The city’s current trash predicament traces back to Measure B, a city ballot measure passed in 2022 that ended the decades-long practice of San Diego providing free trash service to single-family homes and many small townhome and apartment complexes.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Common pitfalls include adding too much salt, relying heavily on canned varieties, and using too much cream or butter.—
Brian Mastroianni,
Health,
22 Oct. 2025
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At the time, Sinegal was dismissive of the women’s concerns—a reminder of the pitfalls of turning one person’s ethos into an organization’s moral compass.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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It’s all put Indiana into a rather unique pickle.—
Dana O'Neil,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
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The popular pickle sandwich is coming back to Jimmy John’s, and with more options.—
Helena Wegner,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Below, snag must-have savings before the sale ends on October 29.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
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The Miami Hurricanes hit their first snag of the season with their upset loss to the Louisville Cardinals on Friday.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Anglers who want to keep their catch fresh on a long drive home are better served to cover fish in a dry livewell with ice.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Oct. 2025
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Well, that all changed on Monday night when the 23-year-old exploded for 218 total yards – 136 on the ground on 17 attempts and 82 through the air on three catches – as well as two rushing touchdowns in Detroit’s 24-9 win over Tampa Bay.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Catch-22.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch-22. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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