1
as in problem
a situation in which one has to choose between two or more equally unsatisfactory choices
faced with a dilemma of whether to risk continuing to drive in the dangerous storm or to give up searching for the lost dog and hope he survived
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in predicament
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
with home prices in a free fall, sellers were in a terrible dilemma
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dilemma
On its surface, this disquieting diptych about male anxiety has the feel of, say, an Asghar Farhadi movie, a moral dilemma urging forth a thriller plot.
—
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2025
Advice on life’s trickiest situations and moral dilemmas from the philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
The venomous animals, however, presented a grim dilemma.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Eight decades ago, federal lawyers wrestled with this same dilemma as the government imprisoned more than 100,000 innocent Japanese Americans from the West Coast on account of their ancestry.
—Eric Muller, Twin Cities, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for dilemma 
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2025
Advice on life’s trickiest situations and moral dilemmas from the philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
The venomous animals, however, presented a grim dilemma.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Eight decades ago, federal lawyers wrestled with this same dilemma as the government imprisoned more than 100,000 innocent Japanese Americans from the West Coast on account of their ancestry.
—Eric Muller, Twin Cities, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for dilemma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilemma
Noun
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Plus, find tips on recognizing salt damage on plants and what to do to fix the problem.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Jan. 2025
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Jones suffered the problem towards the end of the first half of Liverpool’s Champions League victory over Lille.—
Andy Jones,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Willard didn’t envy Illinois coach Brad Underwood’s predicament against Maryland’s big men.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Jan. 2025
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Though bucks are known to get their antlers tangled up during fights on rare occasions, this predicament was particularly challenging — and called for very steady aim, according to wildlife officials.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Kansas City Star,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Indeed, Peter’s graduation to the field is filled with physical threats as well as ethical quandaries that muddy his black-and-white decisionmaking from his last adventure.—
Jake Kring-Schreifels,
TIME,
30 Jan. 2025
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The abrupt shift in political direction presents a quandary for automakers.—
Jack Ewing,
New York Times,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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While James Beard-finalist chef Pushkar Marathe grew up in India, and his Stage menu does play with lots of chutneys and pickle, his small dishes are inflected with all kinds of global flavors, such as Korean bbq ribs with gochujang sauce and kimchi aioli.—
John Oseid,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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For me, simple congee with pickles and pork floss was perfect to help with digestion after more than a week of decadent meals.—
Amber Gibson,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near dilemma
Cite this Entry
“Dilemma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilemma. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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