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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rabbit hole
Showcasing that is really important, just to see the slippery slope and to see someone so strong go down this rabbit hole.
—
James Grebey, Vulture, 2 May 2025
In ordinary times, the likes of Dawn would be dismissed as crackpots, but in pandemic limbo, with everyone bored and at a loose end, her weird suppositions start to get traction, sending everyone down internet rabbit holes.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 May 2025
Sourcing + Trends Calendar The Archive Apply Now >>
Need to Know
From cabinetry to millwork to flooring, the comfort of richer wood hues resonates again in uncertain times
Of the seemingly infinite home design and improvement topic rabbit holes to fall into, handling millwork is a profound one.
—Jessica Ritz, Architectural Digest, 14 May 2025
Sometimes there’s light at the end of the rabbit hole.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rabbit hole
James Grebey, Vulture, 2 May 2025
In ordinary times, the likes of Dawn would be dismissed as crackpots, but in pandemic limbo, with everyone bored and at a loose end, her weird suppositions start to get traction, sending everyone down internet rabbit holes.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 May 2025
Sourcing + Trends Calendar The Archive Apply Now >>
Need to Know
From cabinetry to millwork to flooring, the comfort of richer wood hues resonates again in uncertain times
Of the seemingly infinite home design and improvement topic rabbit holes to fall into, handling millwork is a profound one.
—Jessica Ritz, Architectural Digest, 14 May 2025
Sometimes there’s light at the end of the rabbit hole.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rabbit hole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rabbit hole
Noun
-
Lee’s version stars frequent collaborator Denzel Washington as a music mogul who becomes the target of a ransom demand that forces him into a moral dilemma, between life and death.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2025
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According to my company's Prescription Habits Report, 48% of those over 55 have been forced to choose between their medications and essential bills, while 45% of adults aged 35 to 54 face the same dilemma.—
Alexandra Robertson,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Noun
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In fact, the predicament of Enphase Energy illustrates the risks of heavily investing in a single stock.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
-
Two boaters were rescued from a treacherous predicament on a raging river in Maryland, officials said.—
Brooke Baitinger,
Miami Herald,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Bake a tray of chicken tenders (store-bought or homemade), set out flour tortillas, and offer a few sauces, pickles, and shredded lettuce.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 June 2025
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Its menu includes the 8oz Trump Cheeseburger and the 16oz Trump Tower, both with fries, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles and Trump Sauce.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Three holes were drilled in his skull to reduce the pressure on his brain (those holes were later filled with titanium plugs).—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
6 June 2025
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Despite his success, DeBoer’s tenure in Dallas will now be best remembered for his snap decision to pull starting goaltender Jake Oettinger after the Stars fell into an early 2-0 hole in their elimination game against Edmonton last week.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Noun
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Some frustrated residents say the bureaucratic bind is emblematic of long-standing discrimination.—
Stephanie Yang,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2025
-
On Rikers, a thicket of laws and lore, regulations and culture bind and barnacle decision-making.—
Elizabeth Glazer,
New York Daily News,
18 May 2025
Noun
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In Louisiana, alligators live mostly along the state’s coastal marshes but also can be found in its canals, bayous, rivers and swamps.—
Noël Fletcher,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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From swamp to salinity In Western Australia, sediment cores from the beds of Lake Aerodrome, Gastropod Lake and Prado Lake reveal how long-term drying can change the ecology of a region.—
Francisca Oboh Ikuenobe,
The Conversation,
20 May 2025
Noun
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This international window will be too soon to judge the new manager, but heavy expectations will be waiting around the corner for Ancelotti, and come the September and October internationals Brazil fans will expect big improvements for their side after a recent humbling by Argentina.—
Joseph O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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Summer is just around the corner and for many of us, that means one thing: vacation.—
Jordan Priddy,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rabbit hole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rabbit%20hole. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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