as in dilemma
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
shoreline residents are finding themselves helplessly falling down a rabbit hole in their Sisyphean efforts to halt beach erosion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rabbit hole
Having to find a new planet to live on because Earth has become uninhabitable could send even the hardiest of minds down a terrifying rabbit hole.
—
Grace Dean, Space.com, 2 May 2026
The ballet troupe’s 25th anniversary production follows Jack and Jill down a rabbit hole, through a cave of wonders and into Neverland, set upon music by Charlie Chaplin, Carl Davis, Carmen DeLeone and Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky.
—Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 22 Apr. 2026
Refreshing your outdoor living space or furnishing a new one, though, can lead you down a whole rabbit hole of options.
—Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 15 Apr. 2026
So let’s go down that (potential) recession rabbit hole.
—Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rabbit hole
Grace Dean, Space.com, 2 May 2026
The ballet troupe’s 25th anniversary production follows Jack and Jill down a rabbit hole, through a cave of wonders and into Neverland, set upon music by Charlie Chaplin, Carl Davis, Carmen DeLeone and Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky.
—Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 22 Apr. 2026
Refreshing your outdoor living space or furnishing a new one, though, can lead you down a whole rabbit hole of options.
—Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 15 Apr. 2026
So let’s go down that (potential) recession rabbit hole.
—Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rabbit hole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rabbit hole
Noun
-
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
-
This predicament might be worth drastic measures.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
-
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
-
Susie notes that many familiar foods fall into this category, including yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi; aged cheeses like cheddar, gouda and parmesan; as well as miso, tempeh, kombucha, soy sauce, authentic sourdough bread and certain pickles.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
23 May 2026
-
The difference between a pickle that supports your gut and one that mostly just delivers salt comes down to how it was made.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
Rai closed in commanding fashion, playing his final 10 holes in six-under par without a blemish on the scorecard en route to a closing 65 and a three-shot victory at nine-under overall.—
Jeff Goudy,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Some birds also will poke holes in the ground looking for tasty critters.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Analysts have tried to forecast how much academic carnage will result from this demographic bind.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
19 May 2026
-
Policymakers are now in bind, caught between coercion from abroad and coercion generated at home.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
The caller also reported seeing a male individual running into a swamp near the crash site.—
Edie Peffley,
NBC news,
19 May 2026
-
Follow a swamp airboat swerving along a Louisiana bayou.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The scene mirrored the energy of a film set, all drama and specific lighting and smoke billowing from mysterious corners, honoring the house’s relationship with cinema.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
With runners on the corners, Matt Shaw drove in Happ on a grounder to Kim for a Cubs lead.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rabbit hole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rabbit%20hole. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
