Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
Catch-22
Noun
ˈkaCH ˌtwenty-ˈtwo
Definition
A predicament from which one cannot escape because of contradictory rules or conditions.
Examples
- He was in a catch-22: he couldn’t get a job without experience, but he couldn’t gain experience without a job.
- The company’s policy created a catch-22 for employees seeking sick leave.
Meaning
Catch-22 refers to a situation in which someone is trapped by contradictory rules or circumstances that prevent them from finding a solution.
Synonyms
- double bind
- no-win situation
- lose-lose situation
