dilemma
a situation requiring a choice between equally undesirable alternatives.
any difficult or perplexing situation or problem.
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.”
Origin of dilemma
1synonym study For dilemma
word story For dilemma
Other words for dilemma
Other words from dilemma
- dil·em·mat·ic [dil-uh-mat-ik], /ˌdɪl əˈmæt ɪk/, dil·em·mat·i·cal, di·lem·mic, adjective
- dil·em·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use dilemma in a sentence
Trilemma, trī-lem′a, n. a dilemmatic syllogism with three alternative propositions.
The soundness of the dilemmatic argument in general depends on the alternative possibilities.
British Dictionary definitions for dilemma
/ (dɪˈlɛmə, daɪ-) /
a situation necessitating a choice between two equal, esp equally undesirable, alternatives
a problem that seems incapable of a solution
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
on the horns of a dilemma
faced with the choice between two equally unpalatable alternatives
in an awkward situation
Origin of dilemma
1usage For dilemma
Derived forms of dilemma
- dilemmatic (ˌdɪlɪˈmætɪk, ˌdaɪlɪ-) or dilemmic, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with dilemma
see horns of a dilemma.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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