dilemma

[dih-lem-uh]

noun

1. a situation requiring a choice between equally undesirable alternatives.

2. any difficult or perplexing situation or problem.

   Synonyms: difficulty, question

3. 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.”

dilemma

/ dɪˈlɛmə, ˌdɪlɪˈmætɪk, daɪ-, ˌdaɪlɪ- /

noun

1. a situation necessitating a choice between two equal, esp equally undesirable, alternatives

2. a problem that seems incapable of a solution

3. 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

4. 1. faced with the choice between two equally unpalatable alternatives

   2. in an awkward situation

Usage

The use of dilemma to refer to a problem that seems incapable of a solution is considered by some people to be incorrect

Other Word Forms

• dilemmatic adjective
• dilemmatical adjective
• dilemmic adjective
• dilemmatically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of dilemma¹

First recorded in 1515–25; from Late Latin, from Greek dílēmma, equivalent to di- “two, twice” ( di- ¹ ) + lêmma “an assumption, premise,” derivative of lambánein “to take”

Word History and Origins

Origin of dilemma¹

C16: via Latin from Greek, from _di- ¹ + lēmma assumption, proposition, from lambanein to take, grasp

Idioms and Phrases

see horns of a dilemma.

Synonym Study

See predicament.

Example Sentences

The problem is that all that talent can create something of a dilemma: There’s only room for five players on the top power play unit, three on the top line, one in the net.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

After years of passing on price increases that outpaced inflation without devoting enough attention to keeping their brands fresh, Big Food now faces a dilemma.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The dilemma Greene will eventually confront is that there’s no way to cast the presidency as a housewife’s hobby to be enjoyed in the downtime between dropping kids off at school and cleaning the stove.

Read more on Salon

Trained using Open AI, the service responds to relationship dilemmas with conversational-like responses.

Read more on BBC

They expressed his dilemma as follows: "I must still show up to work but won't get paid, because if I don't it's considered AWOL".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• difficulty 
• embarrassment 
• impasse 
• mess 
• plight 
• predicament 
• problem 
• puzzle 
• quandary