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.
“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
"I feel like this also is a dilemma for me," said Japan's Osaka, who returned to the WTA Tour in January 2024 after a 15-month absence around the birth of her daughter in July 2023.
From BBC • Mar. 22, 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
How to close up the week when the war rages on is becoming a real dilemma for investors.
From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026
Lander’s talk verged on a sermon, concerning the dilemma of finding your purpose once you’ve slipped the yoke of slavery.
From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead
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.
