rabbit hole

noun

Definition of rabbit holenext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rabbit hole My rabbit hole ended, happily, in this serendipitous Hell Gate profile of the Williamsburg tailor who kept Interpol in fine threads. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026 Trust your instincts without going down the rabbit hole of confusion. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026 Defense protestations aside, the impact of Davis’s own voice on jurors seemed clear, and Chief Deputy District Attorney Binu Palal managed to keep the multiple investigations and hip-hop rivalry testimony from falling down a rabbit hole. — John L. Smith, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2026 To him, Leah had gone down a TikTok rabbit hole and never come out. — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rabbit hole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rabbit hole
  1. dilemma
  2. predicament
  3. pickle
  4. hole
  5. bind
  6. swamp
  7. corner
Noun
  • The drug dilemma Don Moulds sounds exasperated when talking about prescription drugs, which have been political fuel for more than a decade.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
  • But strains at the top of the organization over its brand and direction reflect many premium news outlets’ dilemmas about survival and profit in a post-traffic, AI-ascendant media age.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of dilemma
Noun
  • In Brittle Magic, Newbery honoree Kate O’Shaughnessy introduces us to a young girl in a similar predicament.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Back on Earth, the band remain comatose and their predicament triggers an obscure rule of the underworld known as the Coma Clause, which keeps the Gates of Hell open to them for as long as their bodies remain alive.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of predicament
Noun
  • Her sister Judith can grow huge pumpkins, her twin brother Sammy can heal ailing plants, and her Auntie Dee makes pickles that can predict the future.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The burger will drip all over your fries, which are included and cut like pickle chips.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of pickle
Noun
  • The average user on both a sportsbook and prediction market loses money, and trying to claw back losses puts users in even deeper financial holes, experts warn.
    — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Walker split a hole created by Trey Smith and Jaylon Moore on the right side of the line, never broke stride and sprinted 76 yards down the right side to set up the Chiefs’ go-ahead touchdown pass to Thornton in the fourth quarter.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of hole
Noun
  • More recently, in 2023, Belarusian embassies abroad stopped extending or renewing passports entirely, putting dissidents who fled the country in a similar bind to those from Myanmar.
    — Andrew Nachemson, The Dial, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Feasting on neutrality Few illustrate the current bind better than Caitlin Clark.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of bind
Noun
  • Housing discrimination and segregation were deep-seated, and the Los Angeles sky was the color of swamp water.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The decision by crypto’s current generation of leaders to trade in these ideals for swamp-style politics can, therefore, be seen as a deep betrayal.
    — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of swamp
Noun
  • The quick short corner surprised Greenville (6-16-5), and Barea hit the edge of the 18-yard box before lifting a cross to the far post.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Defense forces three and out Bryce Fitzgerald and Ethan O’Connor at outside corner.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of corner

Browse Nearby Words

rabbit
rabbit hole
rabbit holes
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Cite this Entry

“Rabbit hole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rabbit%20hole. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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