quandary
Americannoun
-
quandaries
plural
noun
Synonym Usage
See predicament.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of quandary
First recorded in 1570–80; perhaps fancifully from Latin quand(ō) “when” + -āre infinitive suffix
Explanation
How to define the word quandary? Wow, this is quite a dilemma. What to do, what to do? Hmmm. Looks like this moment itself is a quandary: a tough situation that will be really hard to resolve. If you’re uncertain what to do because all of your options seem unpleasant, you’re probably in a quandary. Some voters find themselves in a quandary when they dislike all of the candidates. A more common quandary is when you plan two events at the same time and can’t decide which one to attend. Some synonyms are predicament, dilemma, plight, and pickle — and choosing which word to use is a quandary in itself.
Vocabulary lists containing quandary
In a Pickle: Words for When You're in Trouble
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300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
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Grade 10, List 2
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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.
See Examples For:
The quandary is how to satisfy public-records requirements without mug shots spreading online “for anybody and everybody to see,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
Jenner hates the paparazzi for invading her privacy but sees no moral quandary in collecting a check from Mark Zuckerberg, who wants to invade everyone’s privacy.
From Slate ● Aug. 5, 2026
Assuming its fifth season is confirmed and the show returns in the fall, the Potterverse quandary is bound to be a talking point.
From Salon ● Apr. 2, 2026
It is a nice quandary for Slegers to ponder before the first leg of an intriguing Champions League quarter-final against WSL rivals Chelsea on Tuesday.
From BBC ● Mar. 23, 2026
They were decent fellows and found themselves in a moral quandary.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
The employment of fully autonomous weapons presents real ethical quandaries, though the technology isn’t ready for that.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 27, 2026
So I put out a call: send me your Thanksgiving quandaries, your culinary existential crises, your “is this normal?” kitchen confessions.
From Salon ● Nov. 25, 2025
In his order last week, Justice Merchan wrote that "it is this court's firm belief that only by bringing finality to this matter" will the legal quandaries at play be resolved.
From BBC ● Jan. 6, 2025
Members vote on each other’s quandaries from a handful of given options, and give their reasoning in the comments.
From Slate ● Nov. 2, 2024
Hugging quandaries aside, when I saw a boy in these clothes, I would have to walk up and say hi.
From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows
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.
