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What is another word for catch-22?

Need synonyms for catch-22? Here's a list of similar words from our thesaurus that you can use instead.

Contexts ▼

A hidden problem, danger or disadvantage in an apparently ideal situation

A problematic situation that is difficult or impossible to escape

Something that is self-contradictory

Something that needs to be resolved

An issue or problem requiring resolution

A situation in which further action or progress by opposing or competing parties seems impossible

A situation in which the solution to one problem creates a chain of problems

Requiring great skill or finesse in handling or treatment

… more ▼

Noun

A hidden problem, danger or disadvantage in an apparently ideal situation

stumbling block

fly in the ointment

spanner in the works

monkey wrench in the works

stone in one's path

mountain to climb

joker in the pack

millstone around your neck

stroke of bad luck

piece of bad luck

reversal of fortune

kick in the teeth

small difficulty

immobilisation^UK

immobilization^US

reverse of fortune

whole new ballgame

unfortunate development

more ❯

“Yet a closer look at the conditions underlying its provision reveals that the acquisition of education was not an unmitigated good, but a hidden catch-22.”

Noun

A problematic situation that is difficult or impossible to escape

damned if you do, damned if you don't

no-win situation

sticky situation

difficult situation

awkward situation

tricky situation

serious problem

large difficulty

serious complication

dog's breakfast

serious predicament

difficult choice

hard nut to crack

serious dilemma

complicated situation

between a rock and a hard place

tight situation

unforeseen circumstance

troublesome problem

unpredictable situation

complex problem

unfortunate situation

state of perplexity

state of uncertainty

delicate situation

damned if one does and damned if one doesn't

lose-lose situation

problematic situation

fine kettle of fish

pretty kettle of fish

ticklish situation

sorry condition

spot of trouble

critical situation

desperate straits

with nowhere to turn

worst-case scenario

reversal of fortune

potential crisis

emergency situation

urgent situation

situational problem

diffict situation

mass of problems

botched situation

troublesome situation

source of trouble

difficult problem

embarrassing situation

embarrassing problem

thorn in the flesh

stroke of ill luck

a bad situation

a sorry condition

a difficult situation

extreme suffering

more ❯

“We humans are faced with a catch-22 of our own natures in confronting change.”

Noun

Something that is self-contradictory

self-contradiction

contradiction in terms

reverse psychology

incongruousness

incompatibility

irreconcilability

lack of congruence

lack of harmony

contradistinction

polarisation^UK

polarization^US

inappropriateness

contradictio in terminis

inharmoniousness

paradoxical nature

contradictoriness

irreconcilable difference

disproportionateness

lack of consistency

difference of opinion

lack of similarity

self-contradictoriness

“This is further complicated by the catch-22 statement of faith, where a man sincerely claims a non-existent malady so that he can be healed.”

Noun

Something that needs to be resolved

Noun

An issue or problem requiring resolution

matter of contention

point of contention

different breed of cat

piece of business

horse of a different color

another can of worms

more ❯

Noun

A situation in which further action or progress by opposing or competing parties seems impossible

Mexican standoff

end of the road

discontinuation

breathing space

screeching halt

stumbling block

communication breakdown

end of the line

breathing spell

more ❯

Noun

A situation in which the solution to one problem creates a chain of problems

Adjective

Requiring great skill or finesse in handling or treatment

like herding cats

fraught with danger

playing with fire

jeopardizing^US

jeopardising^UK

hanging by a thread

easier said than done

energy-consuming

Russian roulette

discountenancing

on slippery ground

causing discomfort

emotionally draining

like getting blood out of a stone

more ❯

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What is the opposite of catch-22?
Sentences with the word catch-22
What is the plural of catch-22?
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Nearby Words

catch a few 'z' s

catch a glimpse of

catch a likeness

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