catch-22

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This Catch-22 is acutely felt by U.S. partners and allies in the Persian Gulf.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

“The cross currents around next week’s earnings set up a Catch-22 for the AI complex,” he said in a recent earnings preview.

From Barron's • Nov. 16, 2025

"Given that there are fixed capital budgets in all government departments, there is very little room for them to manoeuvre as well, so you're in a kind of Catch-22 situation."

From BBC • Oct. 12, 2024

That has created something of a Catch-22: calls for more research, but barriers to doing it.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 31, 2023

There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one’s own safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was die process of a rational mind.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller