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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of catch-22
This is to some extent a consequence of how quickly the government had to act in the face of that emergency, a catch-22 between ensuring that the money would be going to actually help people who needed it and having to get billions out the door at lightning-speed.
—
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
If the original idea behind streaming music was empowering artists and creating a digital hub of all music, this current era offers a newfangled catch-22.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025
The hotel is only for guests 21 and older which is a bit of a catch-22.
—Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2025
For employees, this creates a catch-22.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catch-22
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
If the original idea behind streaming music was empowering artists and creating a digital hub of all music, this current era offers a newfangled catch-22.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025
The hotel is only for guests 21 and older which is a bit of a catch-22.
—Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2025
For employees, this creates a catch-22.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catch-22
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch-22
Noun
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Multiple spills — including the 1997 Torch/Platform Irene spill, the 2007 San Francisco Bay Cosco Busan bunker fuel spill, and the 2021 Huntington Beach pipeline leak — have reinforced California’s argument that expanded drilling and aging pipelines pose ongoing environmental risks.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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And other states might not want to take similar risks.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
Noun
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The dilemma is that each player wants the other side to blink first, but the cost of miscalculation is catastrophic.—
Frank Holmes,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
This dilemma led industries to re-evaluate how to join electrical components.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The incidents involving contact with chains, trailer hitches, poles, and curbs indicate recurring limitations in detecting smaller or irregular obstacles, especially during reversing maneuvers.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
-
What the critics say But the economy’s roaring comeback from the pandemic recession didn’t come without a hitch.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
This predicament might be worth drastic measures.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
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This predicament has been complicated by the president’s unprecedented attempt to influence programming at the wider institution.—
Kelsey Ables,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
Noun
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The fire extinguisher incident was the latest pitfall in a season that, even by Marseille’s own inherently chaotic standards, has stretched the bounds of credibility.—
Tom Williams,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Of course, the pitfalls of rooting a soap opera in the world of modern football means your supporting characters are at the mercy of the transfer merry-go-round.—
Jon O'Brien,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
Noun
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The drink, created in partnership with Grillo's Pickles, blends real pickle ingredients with electrolytes and Smoothie King’s standard fruit and nutrition base.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
-
There is a small amount of Gamle Ode Dill Aquavit that amplifies the savory aspect and adds an almost pickle-like element to the drink.—
Aly Walansky,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
The sentencing itself hit a procedural snag.—
Brian Maass,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
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The lengthy feud between Asuka and Sky hit yet another snag when Sane, a key figure in the storyline, was suddenly and shockingly released by WWE after WrestleMania 42.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2026
Noun
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As per tradition, the father is executed after their child's birth, so Maul never had a chance to play catch or go to a ball game with his dad.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
19 May 2026
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Beyond the thrill of the catch, Tia Clark’s charismatic presence keeps the experience engaging and deeply memorable.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catch-22.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch-22. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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