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
Related Words
See predicament.
Other Word 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.
But a big dilemma for artists is that fans feel like art needs to be accessible and valued as such, and tickets should be priced below what their value is to be fair.
From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026
For company bosses, it presents a thorny dilemma: Fight or pay?
From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026
“The dilemma is to maintain party unity,” Dresser wrote, “or appease an irascible/dangerous neighbor.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026
"The dilemma is impossible not to imagine in your own relationship, it makes you think about what would you do in her position as it's a terrifying, nightmare scenario."
From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026
Whether we’re businessmen in a competitive market or spouses in a marriage or superpowers in an arms race, our choices can often be phrased in terms of the prisoner’s dilemma.
From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos
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.
