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
- dilemmatic adjective
- dilemmatical adjective
- dilemmatically adverb
- dilemmic adjective
Etymology
Origin of dilemma
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”
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.
Don’t miss: ‘I‘m facing an ethical dilemma’: My widowed mother is cutting my step siblings out of the family trust.
From MarketWatch
For me, his dilemma epitomizes both the potential and pitfalls of investing in private assets.
In its way the Prelude stubs its toe on an ancient dilemma: How do we know what is real and what isn’t?
Morgan is caught in a dilemma of when to land her metaphorical punches.
From BBC
I am facing an ethical dilemma and would value your perspective.
From MarketWatch
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.
