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 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
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
See All Example Sentences for catch-22
Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2025
For employees, this creates a catch-22.
—Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for catch-22
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch-22
Noun
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The risk remained even after researchers accounted for how closely people followed a healthy Mediterranean-style diet.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Of course, any intense media scrutiny risks being distracting, especially when it is not directly related to the work of the foundation.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Its dilemma seems to be that it is abandoned, alone, and unsure of how to exist in a vast, empty scrubland, which sits at the edge of a void.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
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Almost everyone will have to reckon with how to handle these modern communication dilemmas.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The only hitch was that these units were equipped with residential-sized kitchens, meaning limited counter space and small refrigerators and freezers.—
Jordan Bianchi,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
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After months of premature right-wing panic about a performance full of anti-American messaging, the Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show went off without a hitch, making its critics seem desperate for a divisive news cycle that wasn’t really in the cards.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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South Florida’s scandal Cherfilus-McCormick’s current legal predicament is much easier to explain than Mills’ multiple ethical sandspurs.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
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But given the team’s predicament, and the sense that the squad needed Premier League-ready personnel, this was not the window to be pursuing youth.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Why beginners often overspend on gold When just starting, several pitfalls can cause investors to overspend on gold.—
Nick Perry,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
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On paper, at least, Disney has set up D’Amaro and Walden to navigate the many pitfalls such a scenario poses by giving the new CEO and chief creative officer roles that are distinct and complementary.—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The bun was buttery and slightly sweet, the pickles and mustard lended a bit of tang to the unctuous beef patties smothered in melty American cheese, and the sweet-but-slightly-spicy Sassy Sauce brought it all together without overpowering any other flavors.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
14 Feb. 2026
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Watts-That Soul Food Southern fried pork chops and catfish share a menu with wings, Kool-Aid pickles and more at this soul food truck.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The sheets felt slightly softer after washing and drying them, and there were no snags, tears, loose threads, or color fading.—
Brandi Fuller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Jan. 2026
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Long delayed by weather, the flight had overcome two last-minute snags caused by seemingly minor computer and weather problems.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Max has also helped the Bachman dealership catch attempted fraud by looking for specific details and fraudulent markers on checks, bank statements, and addresses.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
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Categories include junior music, solo music, musical group, dance, comedy, magic variety, junior variety and a catch-all variety category.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catch-22.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch-22. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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