Scylla

American  

[sil-uh] / ˈsɪl ə /

noun

1. Modern Name Scilla. a rock in the Strait of Messina off the S coast of Italy.

2. Classical Mythology. a sea nymph who was transformed into a sea monster: later identified with the rock Scylla.

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idioms

1. between Scylla and Charybdis, between two equally perilous alternatives, neither of which can be passed without encountering and probably falling victim to the other.

Scylla British  

/ ˈsɪlə /

noun

1. Greek myth a sea nymph transformed into a sea monster believed to drown sailors navigating the Strait of Messina. She was identified with a rock off the Italian coast Compare Charybdis

2. in a predicament in which avoidance of either of two dangers means exposure to the other

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Scylla More Idioms  

1. see between a rock and a hard place (Scylla and Charybdis).

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Scylla

But so are the sirens, in many tellings, along with the sea monsters Scylla and Charybdis.

From Salon ● Sep. 3, 2026

Without any winking irony or condescension to our ancient forebears in storytelling, the writer-director aims to rekindle our fascination with these oft-told tales: the Trojan Horse, the Sirens’ song, Scylla and Charybdis.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

Trainer Bill Mott only brought two horses to the Breeders’ Cup, Sovereignty and Scylla.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 1, 2025

I don’t expect you to say “between Scylla and Charybdis” but could you please say “between a rock and a whirlpool” instead?

From Seattle Times ● May 1, 2022

As soon as Scylla entered the water she was changed into a frightful monster.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

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