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
The catch-22 for Republicans is that the president’s endorsement will be highly advantageous in March.
—
Paul Miller,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for catch-22
Paul Miller,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for catch-22
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch-22
Noun
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Traditional studios might adopt Chinese models for some preproduction tasks such as concepting, but the geopolitical and intellectual property risks for commercial generations are too prohibitive.
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Now in its 18th year, The Zac Foundation has provided free water safety camps to more than 25,000 kids in at-risk communities.
Noun
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Perhaps every story in which the characters are fundamentally unable to change their lives is subject to this same dilemma.
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Casa Amor, as a concept, is traditionally structured like a prisoner’s dilemma, with neither the main villa nor Casa Islanders aware of what their counterparts are doing while they’re separated.
Noun
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Keystone Walkabout 26Max Trailer This hitch-up-and-pull-behind trailer is for those who do everything but sit in camp.
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But once again, the party went without a hitch.
Noun
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The combination of Olise’s footwork and Mbappé’s speed creates a don’t-know-where-to-turn predicament for France’s opponents.
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Potential romantic entanglement aside, these two have seriously different perspectives on Paula’s predicament.
Noun
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Forward-thinking manufacturers build native compliance protocols as a workflow, not as an afterthought—a pitfall that many struggle with.
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But Sam and Cecily's immersion into the tech industry comes with its pitfalls.
Noun
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Start with the Single Smash, layered with griddled onions, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and smash sauce, then explore variations from there, including a falafel smash for vegetarians.
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The dog can also be served in a classic Chicago-style, topped with mustard, relish, onion, tomato, celery salt, sport peppers and pickle.
Noun
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His administration has hit numerous snags in court, with judges reaffirming that the Constitution gives states — not the federal government — authority over elections.
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Gurman claims the foldable is still on track to arrive later this year, despite chatter about manufacturing snags.
Noun
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Shoots them off the balance, catch-and-shoot, spot ups — just in various ways.
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If the Heartbreakers debuted today, would the band be considered Americana — a catch-all phrase for songs that embrace influences from roots-rock, blues, soul, folk and country music?
Cite this Entry
“Catch-22.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch-22. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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