trilemma

American  

[trahy-lem-uh] / traɪˈlɛm ə /

noun

1. a situation, analogous to a dilemma, in which there are three almost equally undesirable alternatives.

   His trilemma consisted in not knowing whether to acknowledge receipt, deny it, or simply leave.

2. Logic. a form of argument in which three choices are presented, each of which is indicated to have consequences that may be unfavorable.

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trilemma British  

/ traɪˈlɛmə /

noun

1. a quandary posed by three alternative courses of action

2. an argument one of the premises of which is the disjunction of three statements from each of which the same conclusion is derived

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Etymology

Origin of trilemma

First recorded in 1665–75; tri- + (di)lemma

Example Sentences

The trilemma traditionally means balancing three key areas: Delivering strong shareholder distributions; maintaining a healthy balance sheet and investing in reserves—whether that is traditional oil and gas or expanding into alternative energy assets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 16, 2025

But the book’s main conclusion is that there is no winning the trilemma, and no resolution to a bankrupt transit agency, city, or state that is going to make everyone happy.

From Slate • Jun. 5, 2023

Faced with this trilemma, most rich countries let the currency float freely.

From Economist • Jun. 28, 2018

That is what some call the energy "trilemma" because, at least in the short term, those three objectives can appear to be in conflict.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2013

Sincerely, this is the actual trilemma that confronts every one of us.

From A Pluralistic Universe Hibbert Lectures at Manchester College on the Present Situation in Philosophy by James, William