predicament

noun

pre·​dic·​a·​ment pri-ˈdi-kə-mənt 

sense 1 is usually ˈpre-di-kə-

1

: the character, status, or classification assigned by a predication

specifically : category sense 1

2

: condition, state

especially : a difficult, perplexing, or trying situation

I don't know how we're going to get out of this predicament.

Synonyms of predicament

• dilemma
• pickle

Examples of predicament in a Sentence

The captain of archers fidgeted and coughed and rolled his eyes at his men, as if such cupidity and dishonor were an inevitable but minor aspect of the human predicament … —Michael Chabon, New York Times Magazine, 6 May 2007

We saw photographs that week of buildings burning, stunned onlookers, dust-covered firemen. Very few pictures conveyed the fact that people just like us, our fellow passengers on the subway, suddenly found themselves in a mortal predicament and many died horribly. —Garrison Keillor, New York Times Book Review, 3 Sept. 2006

The President found himself in the backwash of earlier deals, and the demands of secrecy made his predicament the more vexing. —Taylor Branch, Parting the Waters, 1988

The governor has gotten himself into quite a predicament.

I don't know how to get out of the predicament I'm in.

Recent Examples on the Web

Aemond, too, for that matter, while Daemon’s arrogance continues to get Team Black into all sorts of predicaments. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Rasure also recommends being open about your financial predicament. — Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026

The dynamic of high inflation and a weak labor market is a predicament for the Federal Reserve, which can’t tackle both at the same time. — Laura McGann, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Around 2030, the United States is projected to surpass three milestones that illustrate the lack of precedent for the government’s fiscal predicament. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin praedicamentum, from praedicare — see predicate entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for predicament

• medicament

Kids Definition

predicament

noun

pre·​dic·​a·​ment pri-ˈdik-ə-mənt 

: a difficult, puzzling, or trying situation : fix