Synonyms

quandary

American

[kwon-duh-ree, -dree] / ˈkwɒn də ri, -dri /

noun

plural

quandaries

a state of perplexity or uncertainty, especially as to what to do; dilemma.

quandary British

/ -dərɪ, ˈkwɒndrɪ /

noun

a situation or circumstance that presents problems difficult to solve; predicament; dilemma

"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

Related Words

See predicament.

Etymology

Origin of quandary

First recorded in 1570–80; perhaps fancifully from Latin quand(ō) “when” + -āre infinitive suffix

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.

Valerie’s quandary seems much plainer in that her show’s success would be a death sentence for entertainment creatives.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

Stagflation is a period of little or no economic growth and high inflation, which poses a quandary for central bankers as raising interest rates to reduce inflation is a sure recipe to trigger a recession.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

It is a nice quandary for Slegers to ponder before the first leg of an intriguing Champions League quarter-final against WSL rivals Chelsea on Tuesday.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

The quandary is on display now at the Securities and Exchange Commission.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 15, 2025

This was a quandary; I might be arrested either way.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023