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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dilemma
Trump’s peace plan has backed Hamas into a corner, leaving the militant group to face an existential dilemma.
—
Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Like most curly units, this piece is offered only at 150% density, a choice that always leads to the same dilemma.
—Noel Cymone Walker, StyleCaster, 29 Sep. 2025
The shutdown dilemma is much less pronounced for Democrats in the House.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 27 Sep. 2025
That means having to resolve a strategic dilemma in China.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dilemma
Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Like most curly units, this piece is offered only at 150% density, a choice that always leads to the same dilemma.
—Noel Cymone Walker, StyleCaster, 29 Sep. 2025
The shutdown dilemma is much less pronounced for Democrats in the House.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 27 Sep. 2025
That means having to resolve a strategic dilemma in China.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dilemma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilemma
Noun
-
This new therapy offers a promising approach for creating effective clinical treatments by directly targeting the blood vessel problems associated with Alzheimer’s disease.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Noting the billions of dollars that Arkansas spends each year on federal programs to help the poor, including Medicaid, food stamps, child welfare and unemployment assistance, Sanders suggested the problems are often too big for a single program to fix.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
So, despite their predicament, these operators remain hopeful that circumstances will change soon enough, even if now the path is unclear.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Athletic Club are in a similar predicament.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The simple answer to Minnesota’s quandary was suited up for the Steelers on Sunday.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
28 Sep. 2025
-
All those reasons, however, have a moral or ethical dimension, which in some cases leads to quite touching developments that in their way further illuminate Lost Man’s own quandary.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Fries, chicken, cut tomatoes and pickles were stored without covers.—
Sarah Linn,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The vegan sub includes vegan lunch meats and cheese and all the fixins, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles, as the nonvegan version.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dilemma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilemma. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share