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
Relevance
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
But now you’re faced with a new dilemma: What shoes are actually supposed to go with flared jeans?
—
Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 16 Apr. 2025
In today’s issue: The U.S.-China tariff turnstile Deportation dilemma rocks the courts
GOP down to details on Medicaid cuts
Iran, U.S. nuclear progress unclear
President Trump’s tariff rollout has world leaders and economists on edge as White House messaging about the levies remains inconsistent.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 14 Apr. 2025
Advice on life’s trickiest situations and moral dilemmas from the philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
The answer to this dilemma is not to prepare for wars of indefinite duration but to develop theories of victory that are realistic in their political objectives and flexible in how they might be achieved.
—Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dilemma
Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 16 Apr. 2025
In today’s issue: The U.S.-China tariff turnstile Deportation dilemma rocks the courts
GOP down to details on Medicaid cuts
Iran, U.S. nuclear progress unclear
President Trump’s tariff rollout has world leaders and economists on edge as White House messaging about the levies remains inconsistent.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 14 Apr. 2025
Advice on life’s trickiest situations and moral dilemmas from the philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
The answer to this dilemma is not to prepare for wars of indefinite duration but to develop theories of victory that are realistic in their political objectives and flexible in how they might be achieved.
—Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dilemma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilemma
Noun
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Another problem: The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to hear its challenge of a rule that prevents a president from firing independent agency board members without cause.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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Irving with Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively, Daniel Gafford along with Klay Thompson and P.J. Washington - that’s a team that would have been a problem.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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California and other states have spent much of the past decade trying to get out of this predicament by undoing single-family zoning laws and streamlining permitting for apartments, backyard cottages and other higher-density housing.—
Conor Dougherty,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
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Why Canned Wine? Archer Roose Wines, co-owned by chief creative officer and actress Elizabeth Banks and CEO Marian Leitner-Waldman, started with this predicament in mind.—
Bryce Jones,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Santos and Collins deal with their own moral and legal quandaries.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Apr. 2025
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Black Mirror evokes anthology series like The Twilight Zone and Amazing Stories with speculative, offbeat tales that draw upon sci-fi, thriller, and horror tropes to satirize culture and interrogate moral and ethical quandaries.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The deal on the burgers – each comes with American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, pickles, Smash Sauce, and ketchup on a toasted bun – is good in stores, online and through the Smashburger app.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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According to our readers, classics like the Chicken Sandwich Meal (extra pickles, please) and seasonal treats like the Peach Milkshake are always worth stopping for.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dilemma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilemma. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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