CATCH-22 Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

catch-22

noun

ˈkach-ˌtwen-tē-ˈtü

Definition of catch-22

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

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

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

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

Noun

Nonetheless, the costs of intercepting incoming munitions could prove particularly high if targets are engaged over populated areas, with drones, defensive munitions and falling debris all posing risks to people and property on the ground.

— David Brennan, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
When used alone after surgery to reduce the risk that melanoma returns, Keytruda is given every three to six weeks for up to a year.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of risk

Noun

Vegans can also get in on the fun combinations; the Big Mack is loaded with Impossible Burger, vegan mozzarella and Thousand Island dressing, pickles, white onion, iceberg lettuce and sesame seeds.

— Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 18 Aug. 2026
This is the ideal cut for stir-fries, ratatouille, or zucchini pickles.

— Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of pickle

Noun

Why Chess Can’t Do What This Hobby Does Cognitive training research keeps running into a snag psychologists call the far transfer problem.

— Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Back up in his own end zone, Robinson blew past outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari, made the snag from Tagovailoa and jogged the rest of the way to the goal line.

— Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of snag

Noun

Allen hasn’t had that type of receiver since Stefon Diggs left Buffalo, and Moore’s speed and run-after-catch ability are likely to be big assets.

— Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Bowen, who came into the game as a defensive replacement in the sixth inning, made diving catches in the sixth and seventh innings to take away hits from Cleveland's Angel Martínez and Nathaniel Lowe.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of catch

Browse Nearby Words

catch

catch-22

catch-22's

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Catch-22.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch-22. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of catch-22

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on catch-22

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

rigmarole

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes