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

It was as if they were staring at the AI industry’s broader dilemma: whether to move boldly into uncertain territory or wait for clarity and risk falling behind.

From The Wall Street Journal

Scores of readers wrote in to share their experiences, the money dilemmas they encountered and the pitfalls others can avoid.

From The Wall Street Journal

Your dilemma is a perfect opportunity for exercising boundaries — not with your son, with whom you appear to have a healthy balance of independence, cooperation and support, but with your girlfriend.

From MarketWatch

That’s the underlying dilemma: Employees want choice; employers want safety — and protection.

From MarketWatch

The BOE faces a similar dilemma to the Federal Reserve in judging how to respond to a creaking labor market and stubbornly high inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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