dilemma
Americannoun
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a situation requiring a choice between equally undesirable alternatives.
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any difficult or perplexing situation or problem.
- Synonyms:
- difficulty, question
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Logic. a form of syllogism in which the major premise is formed of two or more hypothetical propositions and the minor premise is a disjunctive proposition, as “If A, then B; if C then D. Either A or C. Therefore, either B or D.”
noun
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a situation necessitating a choice between two equal, esp equally undesirable, alternatives
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a problem that seems incapable of a solution
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logic a form of argument one of whose premises is the conjunction of two conditional statements and the other of which affirms the disjunction of their antecedents, and whose conclusion is the disjunction of their consequents. Its form is if p then q and if r then s; either p or r so either q or s
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faced with the choice between two equally unpalatable alternatives
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in an awkward situation
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Usage
The use of dilemma to refer to a problem that seems incapable of a solution is considered by some people to be incorrect
Synonym Usage
See predicament.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of dilemma
First recorded in 1515–25; from Late Latin, from Greek dílēmma, equivalent to di- “two, twice” ( see di- 1) + lêmma “an assumption, premise,” derivative of lambánein “to take”
Explanation
A dilemma is a tough choice. When you're in a difficult situation and each option looks equally bad, you're in a dilemma. Dilemma is from a Greek for "double proposition." It was originally a technical term of logic, but we use it now for any time you have a problem with no satisfactory solution. If you're at the mall choosing between red or blue socks, that's not really a dilemma. But if you have to choose whether to save your cat or your dog from a burning building, that's an awful dilemma.
Vocabulary lists containing dilemma
In a Pickle: Words for When You're in Trouble
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Tuesdays with Morrie
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The Omnivore's Dilemma
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Appeared in the February 25, 2026, print edition as 'Germany Faces Dilemma Over China Trade Ties'.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026
Soon after, the Prisoner's Dilemma turned into the central topic in game theory.
From Science Daily • Dec. 6, 2024
Writ large, the entertainment landscape is encountering Clay Christensen’s famous Innovator’s Dilemma in real time.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 13, 2023
A renowned feminist, she depicted and celebrated the condition of African women in works such as The Dilemma of a Ghost, Our Sister Killjoy and Changes.
From BBC • May 31, 2023
According to Charles R. Clement, the Manaus botanist, though, the first Amazonians did avoid the Dilemma of Rainfall Physics.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
