as in predicament
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
although the military invasion had been a breeze, the nation soon found itself caught in a rattrap with no clear escape route
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rattrap
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 -
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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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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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
-
Will the loss or diminishment of newspapers leave a hole in society?—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Feb. 2026
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Oval holes in the walls once held lamps to light the street after dark.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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No fan should be told how to follow their team, nor be scolded for feeling conflicted, especially as Spurs supporters have been put in this unenviable bind by the failings of their club — rather than the other way around.—
Dan Kilpatrick,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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The order put Tri-State in a bind to figure out how to comply after years of planning to close the 45-year-old plant.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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How to Prune Hardy Hibiscus and Swamp Hibiscus Hardy hibiscus and swamp hibiscus die back to the ground in winter.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
9 Feb. 2026
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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, has been knee-deep in the Epstein swamp since the early 2010s, and the latest release of documents seems to have been the coup de grâce on his public life.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The two men, in their respective corners, stared each other down.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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The box office is at the southwest corner of the arena.—
Mars Salazar,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Rattrap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rattrap. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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