as in dilemma
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
shoreline residents are finding themselves helplessly falling down a rabbit hole in their Sisyphean efforts to halt beach erosion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rabbit hole
The feminist theorist and scholar Tressie McMillan Cottom went even further down the rabbit hole in a Bluesky post yesterday.
—
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
The Italian metal extremist has been going down a rabbit hole of his own with a series of highly technical I, Voidhanger releases marked by extraterrestrial synth work and winding, stop-on-a-dime riffs.
—Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 30 Mar. 2026
Sniff the magic poppers and fall down a rabbit hole.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
Chris is a freelance journalist who, when not writing or falling further down the Lego rabbit hole, indulges his taste for horror, sci-fi and the post-apocalyptic.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rabbit hole
Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
The Italian metal extremist has been going down a rabbit hole of his own with a series of highly technical I, Voidhanger releases marked by extraterrestrial synth work and winding, stop-on-a-dime riffs.
—Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 30 Mar. 2026
Sniff the magic poppers and fall down a rabbit hole.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
Chris is a freelance journalist who, when not writing or falling further down the Lego rabbit hole, indulges his taste for horror, sci-fi and the post-apocalyptic.
—Chris McMullen, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rabbit hole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rabbit hole
Noun
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For policymakers, the crisis caused by the Iran war poses a dilemma.—
Fabiano Maisonnave,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
This dilemma unfolded as delegates still waited to hear from all three gubernatorial candidates before casting a vote for that respective nominee.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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After realizing their predicament, the couple was forced to swim to a buoy about a mile from shore.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Gonzales has been in a similar predicament for many months longer.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Some Cypress Village residents are beseeching the city to keep it that way, even as the HOA applies to let the pickle balling resume.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Much of the automobile industry is in a pickle.—
Jamie Lincoln Kitman,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Carolina Panthers didn’t have many holes to fill after a successful free agency, but there were a couple.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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So, nine holes into his pro-am practice round on Thursday, hours before the real competition started, Retief Goosen changed his grip.—
Stan Awtrey,
AJC.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Yet with tropical countries approaching the year’s first planting season, prices for key commodity crops haven’t yet budged, putting farmers in a bind.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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Years of ignoring improper payments while promoting more program enrollment at all costs have now put the Commonwealth’s taxpayers in a bind.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The wind also died down as warm, humid air settled over the old-growth cypress swamp on which the course was built for much of the round before a breeze returned late in the day.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2026
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About 65 miles away, firefighters continue battling the massive blaze in Clinch County, where the fire has spread rapidly through dry forest and swamp areas, making containment difficult.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Fortunately for Pluto, the world has had plenty of big names in its corner over the years.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
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Food and drink Expect an ample breakfast buffet, with an impressive bread corner (unfortunately, its popularity and corner location mean access to the bread and toaster is a plate-juggling dance).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rabbit hole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rabbit%20hole. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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