catch-22

noun

ˈkach-ˌtwen-tē-ˈtü How to pronounce catch-22 (audio)
Definition of catch-22next
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 catch-22 The Catch-22 Blocking a Cure There is no cure for endometriosis. — Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2026 There’s a catch-22 for April stargazers. — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026 The court’s decision left medical professionals in a Catch-22. — Virginia Hammerle, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026 In response, Epstein suggests Tom Wolfe’s The Bonfire of the Vanities, Theodore Dreiser’s The Financier, and Joseph Heller’s Catch-22. — Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 6 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for catch-22
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch-22
  1. risk
  2. dilemma
  3. hitch
  4. predicament
  5. pitfall
  6. pickle
  7. snag
  8. catch
Noun
  • Handles up improves safety and hygiene during unloading, avoiding contact with eating surfaces and reducing injury risk.
    — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Another is the contagion risk posed by having an unvaccinated child in a waiting room alongside infants and kids with immunodeficiencies.
    — Eric Boodman, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of risk
Noun
  • Getty Images The plight of the A’s in Oakland and the Rays in Tampa Bay has been a Major League Baseball dilemma for decades, spanning the careers of the last two commissioners, Rob Manfred and Bud Selig.
    — Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Gaines and White talked at length at halftime of Friday’s game about their convictions on the trans in women’s sports dilemma.
    — Patricia Babcock McGraw OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of dilemma
Noun
  • All else went without a hitch at the show, which also featured a walk-on from crown holders from years past.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The only hitch was that the move to Juventus broke down, leaving Suzuki and Martinez in the same squad.
    — David Ornstein, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of hitch
Noun
  • Perhaps cognisant of the last time one of his fighters — fellow British heavyweight Fabio Wardley — was in a similar predicament during his bout against Dubois in May.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • While few family businesses are like the Lakers, the broad strokes of the Buss family's predicament are familiar, according to lawyers who spoke to CNBC.
    — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of predicament
Noun
  • Creating simple games exclusively through AI prompts has its pitfalls.
    — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The report is quick to acknowledge the potential pitfalls and abuses of license plate reading cameras (LPRs) in general.
    — Mark Reynolds, The Providence Journal, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of pitfall
Noun
  • The following month, Marcus and Bakhitar made another strategic decision based on their network's advice, submitting applications to sell pickles at Erewhon and Whole Foods despite barely having any history as a business.
    — Megan Sauer, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The smashburger was the same as always, juicy and full of cheese, and the dill and pickle in the Caesar salad brought a bright and refreshing twist to the classic.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of pickle
Noun
  • Seeing the Braves compete in this series with the Dodgers, from the walk-off win to the ace performances to the timely snags to Truist Park’s eruptions, hearkened back memories of October 2021.
    — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Clear one practical snag, simplify one expectation, and give your body enough support to keep the day balanced.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of snag
Noun
  • Foster made the most of the opportunity, tallying seven catches for 73 yards and a touchdown in the preseason and standing out throughout training camp.
    — Andrew Destin, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • This included 279 passing yards, 134 of which came after the catch.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of catch

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Cite this Entry

“Catch-22.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch-22. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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