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In logic, what is a false dilemma?

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dilemma

American  

[dih-lem-uh] / dɪˈlɛm ə /

noun

• dilemmas
  plural

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.”

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dilemma British  

/ dɪˈlɛmə, 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

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dilemma Idioms  

1. see horns of a dilemma.

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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

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• dilemmas
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dilemma dilemmas

But what the 36-year-old Scot regards as "without doubt" the best week of his career has left him with a dilemma.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

“We’re solving the crude dilemma, but we are not solving the product dilemma.”

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026

The project was bogged down by cracked trays, high costs and a dice dilemma.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

The dilemma was partly captured in questions posed Tuesday by school board members Nick Melvoin and Rocio Rivas.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026

But Allen nodded like he wrestled with the rent-versus-buy dilemma every day.

From "Lawn Boy Returns" by Gary Paulsen

Another says, "He never spouts empty, feel-good platitudes; instead, he crouches down to face real-life dilemmas alongside us."

From BBC ● Sep. 26, 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

She enjoys doing drop-off and pickup, using the commute time to help her daughter navigate the kinds of human dilemmas she does professionally, while her house manager tackles dinner prep at home.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026

Besides, D.C. could even offer the DNC a solution to what is otherwise sure to be a process full of hideous legal and political dilemmas.

From Slate ● May 26, 2026

Students are encouraged to consider social problems and responses to ‘practical’ dilemmas in a modern world through which angels and devils no longer dance.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez

Related Words

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