dilemma
Americannoun
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a situation requiring a choice between equally undesirable alternatives.
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any difficult or perplexing situation or problem.
- Synonyms:
- difficulty, question
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Logic. a form of syllogism in which the major premise is formed of two or more hypothetical propositions and the minor premise is a disjunctive proposition, as “If A, then B; if C then D. Either A or C. Therefore, either B or D.”
noun
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a situation necessitating a choice between two equal, esp equally undesirable, alternatives
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a problem that seems incapable of a solution
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logic a form of argument one of whose premises is the conjunction of two conditional statements and the other of which affirms the disjunction of their antecedents, and whose conclusion is the disjunction of their consequents. Its form is if p then q and if r then s; either p or r so either q or s
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faced with the choice between two equally unpalatable alternatives
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in an awkward situation
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Usage
The use of dilemma to refer to a problem that seems incapable of a solution is considered by some people to be incorrect
Related Words
See predicament.
Other Word Forms
- dilemmatic adjective
- dilemmatical adjective
- dilemmatically adverb
- dilemmic adjective
Etymology
Origin of dilemma
First recorded in 1515–25; from Late Latin, from Greek dílēmma, equivalent to di- “two, twice” ( di- 1 ) + lêmma “an assumption, premise,” derivative of lambánein “to take”
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.
As brands sell children eyeshadow, lip gloss and skincare, parents face a dilemma: How young is too young to expose children to beauty?
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies meet Sunday with a familiar dilemma: add barrels to the market or continue holding back against a fragile geopolitical backdrop.
So are the dilemmas created by split-second decisions and the resultant issues rippling outward.
From Salon
After buying a $16 entry ticket — no deductible — audience members have the option of scribbling an anonymous confession or a personal dilemma onto a piece of paper before dropping it into a box.
From Los Angeles Times
Duane had come to a dilemma often described as being stuck between a rock and a hard place.
From Literature
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.
