dilemma

American  

[dih-lem-uh] / dɪˈlɛm ə /

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.”

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dilemma British  

/ 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

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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

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

For developing countries, this shift poses a profound dilemma.

From Barron's

When you eat a huge burrito, the biggest dilemma is whether you should save half for later or eat the beast all at once.

From Los Angeles Times

This, however, could also present the U.S. with a dilemma on whether to prolong the air war if the regime were to crack down again.

From The Wall Street Journal

Lebanese director Danielle Arbid faced a similar dilemma with her film "Only Rebels Win", which is being shown in the festival's Panorama section, and is set in her hometown of Beirut.

From Barron's

So was Panahi's work -- which spotlights the dilemmas of a group of ordinary Iranians as they confront a man they believe to have tortured them in jail -- not given its due?

From Barron's

Related Words

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