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, 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

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

This poses a haunting dilemma for those in the capital.

From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026

Now, I have another ethical dilemma for you.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

The overcrowding crisis in our prisons has presented him with a dilemma for which there are only unpalatable choices.

From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026

To escape this “mowing the lawn” dilemma, the country, and specifically the Bank of Japan 8301 -3.11%decrease; down pointing triangle , has to address the root causes of yen weakness.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

On the West Coast, however, Ernest Lawrence was developing his own solution to the agency’s dilemma.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

By the end, screenwriter Ana Nogueira tees up some compelling moral dilemmas about the ethics of revenge, but Gillespie’s direction fails to entertain them with the weight they deserve.

From Salon ● Jun. 27, 2026

The second difference was the manner in which the team looked to solve tactical dilemmas.

From BBC ● Jun. 22, 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

These dilemmas that these people in the industry are going through, I wonder if you and I, if we were in that same position, how we would do it.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 21, 2026

For William, who liked to be aboveboard in everything, this posed ethical dilemmas.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

Related Words

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