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
In a catch-22, until the company is able to reduce its coal dependency, analysts expect its performance in the short- to medium-term to continue being dictated by coal-price movement.
—
Phisanu Phromchanya, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
There’s an interesting catch-22 in this movie.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Feb. 2025
California is also in danger of creating an energy catch-22 whereby the push to go green could hobble the state’s clean power efforts.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2025
Trying to simplify your analysis of all responses also creates something of a catch-22: The more rigid and structured your RFP becomes, the less space potential vendors have to demonstrate their abilities as thought partners.
—Oliver Kimberley, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catch-22
Phisanu Phromchanya, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
There’s an interesting catch-22 in this movie.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Feb. 2025
California is also in danger of creating an energy catch-22 whereby the push to go green could hobble the state’s clean power efforts.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2025
Trying to simplify your analysis of all responses also creates something of a catch-22: The more rigid and structured your RFP becomes, the less space potential vendors have to demonstrate their abilities as thought partners.
—Oliver Kimberley, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catch-22
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch-22
Noun
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This enables enterprises to select trustworthy models, enforce AI risk policies, and respond to emerging threats in real time.—
Dasha Shunina,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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When existing inventory runs out, store owners will face hard choices: Eat the costs and risk going under.—
Karen Yuan,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The deep-sea mining dilemma Deep-sea mining isn’t a new idea.—
Christian Elliott,
Smithsonian Magazine,
21 Apr. 2025
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The couple faces a spiritual and cultural dilemma: proceed with the ritual or risk divine consequences.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The proposal goes off without a hitch as the two boys watch on.—
Angela Andaloro,
People.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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Her feed cut out a few times during the song's first verse, then continued without a hitch through the chorus.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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California and other states have spent much of the past decade trying to get out of this predicament by undoing single-family zoning laws and streamlining permitting for apartments, backyard cottages and other higher-density housing.—
Conor Dougherty,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
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Why Canned Wine? Archer Roose Wines, co-owned by chief creative officer and actress Elizabeth Banks and CEO Marian Leitner-Waldman, started with this predicament in mind.—
Bryce Jones,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Acton Academy’s growth to over 300 schools showcases the potential for replication but also highlights the pitfalls of decentralized management.—
Ray Ravaglia,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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Right off the bat, Expedition 33 avoids the common pitfall of assigning moves to magic point (MP) values; In most JRPGs, special attacks typically consume MP, and running out means characters are relegated to just doing normal attacks, which can make battles feel dry or lopsided.—
George Yang,
Rolling Stone,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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According to our readers, classics like the Chicken Sandwich Meal (extra pickles, please) and seasonal treats like the Peach Milkshake are always worth stopping for.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2025
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The deal on the burgers – each comes with American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, pickles, Smash Sauce, and ketchup on a toasted bun – is good in stores, online and through the Smashburger app.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Repair kits are a simple way to patch snags and rips, but replacing a screen can be a better long-term solution.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
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The big picture: The council's vote threw a last-minute snag into a plan, years in the making, to centrally organize St. Paul's garbage collection, with a single hauler handling most of the work.—
Kyle Stokes,
Axios,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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But there’s a bit of a catch: This cellular process can irritate eczema-prone skin.—
Sierra Leone Starks,
Allure,
18 Apr. 2025
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But there’s a catch: bunks can only be reserved for a four hour stretch.—
Laurie Werner,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Catch-22.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch-22. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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