dilemma

[dih-lem-uh]

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.”

dilemma

/ 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

Usage

The use of dilemma to refer to a problem that seems incapable of a solution is considered by some people to be incorrect

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dilemma¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of dilemma¹

C16: via Latin from Greek, from _di- ¹ + lēmma assumption, proposition, from lambanein to take, grasp

Idioms and Phrases

see horns of a dilemma.

Synonym Study

See predicament.

Example Sentences

We have become unhappy with apartment living and will probably be moving next summer, regardless of our rent-versus-own dilemma.

Read more on MarketWatch

U.S. military commanders and regional security experts have warned that the detainee population is an unresolved security dilemma threatening a new and uncertain Syria.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In the article, Schlossberg mentioned the Kennedy family’s dilemma over controversial positions taken by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., her mother’s cousin.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The dilemma isn’t a new one, as Truman Capote made clear in his 1967 short story “The Thanksgiving Visitor.”

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Thucydides’ mastery of perspective allows him to populate his landscapes with the dilemmas of democratic politics—the battlefield where psychology meets strategy.

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Related Words

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