dilemma
Americannoun
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a situation requiring a choice between equally undesirable alternatives.
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any difficult or perplexing situation or problem.
- Synonyms:
- difficulty, question
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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.”
noun
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a situation necessitating a choice between two equal, esp equally undesirable, alternatives
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a problem that seems incapable of a solution
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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
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faced with the choice between two equally unpalatable alternatives
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in an awkward situation
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Lebanese director Danielle Arbid faced a similar dilemma with her film "Only Rebels Win", which is being shown in the festival's Panorama section, and is set in her hometown of Beirut.
From Barron's
So was Panahi's work -- which spotlights the dilemmas of a group of ordinary Iranians as they confront a man they believe to have tortured them in jail -- not given its due?
From Barron's
Talk about a dilemma: Take a lower amount now, or hold out for more in a few years and risk having it cut.
From MarketWatch
If enough shareholders tender at $30, Paramount could gain a larger stake in WBD and force the board into a fiduciary dilemma.
From MarketWatch
"And I have the solution to this little dilemma. Rowan can hold the map while I copy it, with my own ink on my own paper."
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
