dilemma
Americannoun
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dilemmas
plural
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a situation requiring a choice between equally undesirable alternatives.
-
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
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
See Examples For:
"You can imagine the dilemma this throws AI into," says François Yvon, a research director specialised in automatic translation with the French National Centre for Scientific Research CNRS.
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026
If the Dodgers decide Ohtani needs a few days off now, they would face this unpleasant dilemma: play one man short, or put him on the injured list.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026
‘We’re solving the crude dilemma, but we are not solving the product dilemma’
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
“We’re solving the crude dilemma, but we are not solving the product dilemma.”
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026
With the infusion of new blood from the previous year’s exceptional freshman boat, he was again faced with the dilemma of having almost too much talent out on the water.
From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown
Mayors in other big cities have faced similar dilemmas.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
For many brands, these dilemmas are likely to loom ever larger as consumers continue gravitating to private-label products.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 16, 2026
A Prudie reader has some wise words for how to navigate that situation—and readers of the column weigh in on a variety of other dilemmas, too.
From Slate ● Aug. 21, 2026
“Sisters of the Midnight Sun” addresses the ethical dilemmas involved in criminal defense when the crimes are particularly heinous.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
For William, who liked to be aboveboard in everything, this posed ethical dilemmas.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
