trilemma
Americannoun
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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.
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Logic. a form of argument in which three choices are presented, each of which is indicated to have consequences that may be unfavorable.
noun
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a quandary posed by three alternative courses of action
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an argument one of the premises of which is the disjunction of three statements from each of which the same conclusion is derived
Etymology
Origin of trilemma
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 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
There is no getting out of this trilemma.
From The Teaching of Jesus by George Jackson
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.
