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.”

---

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

---

dilemma Idioms  

1. see horns of a dilemma.

---

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

“The court’s left with this dilemma that I have not faced in my entire time on the bench and I don’t take it lightly,” Birotte said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

The dilemma for the Fed is that an energy shock can simultaneously push prices higher and drag down economic growth by squeezing household budgets and raising costs for businesses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Inside the army, commercial exports of weapons at a time of war present an ethical dilemma.

From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026

There lies the nub of the dilemma for Qatar and the five other Gulf states facing the brunt of the backlash from a war they tried to avert through diplomacy.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

Seeing the cause of my current dilemma calmly pitching his tent back at our site makes me furious.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

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