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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 catch-22
Select the right seat People who deal with migraines tend to be ultra-sensitive to motion sickness, which is a catch-22 because motion sickness can trigger an attack.
—
Cheyenne Buckingham, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Nov. 2024
Pepe and Lonergan may in fact be caught in a catch-22.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2024
To file, debtors owe an up-front fee that can exceed $1,000—a bizarre catch-22 for someone who can’t afford to pay their bills.
—Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2024
The catch-22: Nobody wants to deal with the filth and crime, yet nobody with a heart wants others to suffer due to the high cost of housing.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 2 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for catch-22 
Cheyenne Buckingham, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Nov. 2024
Pepe and Lonergan may in fact be caught in a catch-22.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2024
To file, debtors owe an up-front fee that can exceed $1,000—a bizarre catch-22 for someone who can’t afford to pay their bills.
—Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2024
The catch-22: Nobody wants to deal with the filth and crime, yet nobody with a heart wants others to suffer due to the high cost of housing.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 2 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for catch-22
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch-22
Noun
-
Research also shows that for men of all ages, just one to three hours of walking per week significantly reduces the risk of prostate cancer.Sammy Rubin, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
-
The Chiefs will have two weeks to review the performance before determining their offensive line plan in the playoffs — but at this stage, asking Humphries to shift to left tackle with fewer than 100 snaps would be a risk not backed by the evidence of a reward.Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
That dilemma will challenge Rubio, who has frequently criticized the Biden administration as too accommodating to Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, and too lenient in its policies toward Cuba.Michael Wilner, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2025
-
Consider this dilemma: someone has an old home in a high-price area and is considering adding a bathroom to the home.Cicely Jones, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The flag of the Islamic State group was on the truck's trailer hitch, the FBI said.ERIC TUCKER, JIM MUSTIAN, TIME, 2 Jan. 2025
-
The flag of the Islamic State group was on the truck’s trailer hitch, the FBI said.Eric Tucker, Jim Mustian, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The confusion over Everton’s managerial situation has been unhelpful given the team’s predicament.Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
-
The widespread indifference to the Uyghurs’ predicament exposes double standards, not only among today’s prevailing political ideologies, but also within the international politics of human rights.Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Furthermore, consider engaging experts to supplement internal capabilities, as specialists can help bring best practices and assist organizations with avoiding common pitfalls like misaligned expectations and underestimated budgets and timelines.Andrei Kasyanau, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
-
Birdwatching tourism in Colombia has so far managed to avoid many of these pitfalls.Benji Jones, Vox, 3 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Leftover charcuterie is a bit of a challenge, with items as diverse as fig jam or Jamón Ibérico and a vast spread of about six categories (carbs, meat, cheese, spreads, pickles, and nuts).Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2025
-
The restaurant serves chili on burgers — which come in single, double and triple patty options, each with tomatoes, pickles, onions and mustard.Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Lamar Jackson led a furious final push down the field, capped with Isaiah Likely’s spectacular would-be game-tying touchdown snag.Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
-
When tested with Velcro and sharp jewelry, snags and holes were immediate and very noticeable.L.A. Hubilla, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The third-year pro recorded 46 catches for 601 yards and four touchdowns during the 2024 regular season, and added two catches for 13 yards prior to exiting against the Eagles.Jelani Scott, The Athletic, 13 Jan. 2025
-
As in every genie story, Gascón’s came with a catch.Julian Sancton, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near catch-22
Cite this Entry
“Catch-22.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch-22. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share