Discussion » Questions » Language » Can catch-22 and dilemma be used interchangeably to describe the same stuck situation?
Benedict Arnold

Can catch-22 and dilemma be used interchangeably to describe the same stuck situation?

Posted - July 14, 2019
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Responses


  • 44659
    In the dictionary, each was used as a synonym for the other...so I guess so.
      July 14, 2019 5:07 PM MDT
    2

  • 17620
    Not exactly.  Dilemma is not knowing what to do.  Catch 22 is damned if you do, and damned if you don't.
      July 14, 2019 7:15 PM MDT
    3

  • 3719
    Yes - it works one way but not the other. A Catch-22 situation would certainly put you in an unfortunate dilemma, but they are not synonyms.

    After all, the dilemma may be between two (or more) choices or actions of which either ( or any) would have favourable outcomes.
      August 15, 2019 4:13 PM MDT
    1