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
Slim’s tale illustrates a deadly catch-22 of Jim Crow economics: Whatever Black people acquired, white people could take by force.
—
Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 2 May 2025
This dynamic has created a cruel catch-22 which forces an impossible choice: register and risk immediate deportation, or refuse and become criminalized for noncompliance, destroying any path to legal status.
—Kica Matos, Time, 2 May 2025
But there is a catch-22: If Musk continues his close ties to Trump, the company could alienate potential customers, both at home and overseas, who dislike Trump’s policies.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2025
The future Astronomical observatories on the far side of the Moon face a bit of a catch-22.
—ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catch-22
Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 2 May 2025
This dynamic has created a cruel catch-22 which forces an impossible choice: register and risk immediate deportation, or refuse and become criminalized for noncompliance, destroying any path to legal status.
—Kica Matos, Time, 2 May 2025
But there is a catch-22: If Musk continues his close ties to Trump, the company could alienate potential customers, both at home and overseas, who dislike Trump’s policies.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2025
The future Astronomical observatories on the far side of the Moon face a bit of a catch-22.
—ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catch-22
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch-22
Noun
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Other companies that rely on biometric data, like DNA research firm 23andMe, have reported data breaches or filed for bankruptcy, putting millions of people's personal information potentially at risk.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Family Health Centers, Inc. in Louisville is partnering with Vanderbilt University on a long-term study that will identify environmental cancer risks in the South.—
Ruby Grisin,
The Courier-Journal,
30 July 2025
Noun
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The time to plant fall vegetable crops is just around the corner, which often poses a dilemma for gardeners.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
25 July 2025
-
There are many reasons professional golfers have found themselves in need of a win, but few have encountered the dilemma Max Homa currently faces.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
Receiver Jaylen Waddle caught a hitch and took it 15 yards.—
Claude Smalls,
Miami Herald,
30 July 2025
-
During the Sunday morning press conference following the successful landing, Firefly’s Spacecraft Program Director Ray Allensworth stated that the mission went off without a hitch, with Blue Ghost landing within its 100-meter landing zone.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Noun
-
After announcing their predicament on social media on June 13, fans rallied support.—
Bahar Anooshahr,
AZCentral.com,
24 July 2025
-
Luckily, Wayfair solved this predicament with its new apartment storefront, packed with storage solutions for living in a small space.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
People.com,
19 July 2025
Noun
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Companies that master security reviews in this new era could turn compliance into a competitive advantage, winning trust from clients and partners wary of regulatory pitfalls.—
Pukar Hamal,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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To distance international institutions from the pitfalls of power politics is also to divorce them from the rejuvenating spring of national politics.—
STACIE E. GODDARD,
Foreign Affairs,
28 July 2025
Noun
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Boca Raton resident Pam Duhamel, who is originally from London, purchases a can of Heinz baked beans, marmite (a yeast extract used as a flavoring), a bottle of Branston squeezable pickle, and a container of Coleman’s mustard.—
Ron Hurtibise,
Sun Sentinel,
19 July 2025
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Sweet pickles: Varieties like bread-and-butter pickles have sugar and vinegar in the brine, which help to preserve them.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
18 July 2025
Noun
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While Sands needed just 19 pitches to cruise through the first two innings, Burrows had two Twins on base in the first inning, then hit a serious snag in the second.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
12 July 2025
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Gatling then lofted the ball a bit in front of Hines, who made a finger-tip snag as his momentum carried him out of the field of play.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 July 2025
Noun
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In 2023, McCaffrey led all running backs in red zone receptions (12), catches that resulted in first downs (7), and touchdown catches (5).—
Ted Nguyen,
New York Times,
23 July 2025
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The catch: The effective date of the rule was January 29, 2020, and the expiration January 29, 2025.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Catch-22.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch-22. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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