dilemma

noun di·lem·ma \ də-ˈle-mə also dī- \

|Updated on: 8 Aug 2018

Usage guide: Usage of dilemma

Examples: dilemma in a Sentence

Definition of dilemma

1 a : a usually undesirable or unpleasant choice

faces this dilemma: raise interest rates and slow the economy or lower them and risk serious inflation

b : a situation involving such a choice

here am I brought to a very pretty dilemma; I must commit murder or commit matrimony
—George Farquhar

broadly : predicament

lords and bailiffs were in a terrible dilemma
—G. M. Trevelyan

2 a : a problem involving a difficult choice

the dilemma of "liberty versus order"
—J. M. Burns

b : a difficult or persistent problem

unemployment … the great central dilemma of our advancing technology
—August Heckscher

3 : an argument presenting two or more equally conclusive alternatives against an opponent

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dilemmatic

play \ˌdi-lə-ˈma-tik also -ˌdī-\ adjective

See dilemma defined for English-language learners

See dilemma defined for kids

Usage of dilemma

Although some commentators insist that dilemma be restricted to instances in which the alternatives to be chosen are equally unsatisfactory, their concern is misplaced; the unsatisfactoriness of the options is usually a matter of how the author presents them. What is distressing or painful about a dilemma is having to make a choice one does not want to make. The use of such adjectives as terrible, painful, and irreconcilable suggests that dilemma is losing some of its unpleasant force.

Examples of dilemma in a Sentence

When it comes to the boss, there is a real dilemma. You're caught between a career-limiting rejection of virtual friendship or a career-limiting access to photos of yourself glassy-eyed at a party. —Jared Sandberg, Wall Street Journal, 10 July 2007
What's a pampered 20-something to do when her rich fiancé goes on a business trip and comes back married to someone else? That's the dilemma facing Elle Medina in Nichols's delightfully silly, vivacious debut. —Publishers Weekly, 28 June 2004
Both authors are prepared to dwell as long on the savor of a ripe melon as on the significance of a moral dilemma. —Roger Shattuck, New York Review of Books, 13 June 2002
The country's decision to go to war has caused a major dilemma for its allies.
We're facing a terrible dilemma.
I don't know what to do; it's a real dilemma.

Recent Examples of dilemma from the Web

So one dilemma is whether any rewards should be offered for steps along that road.

— The Economist, "North Korea presents nuclear disarmament’s biggest challenge yet," 5 July 2018
Europe’s border dilemma was on display in Berlin on Thursday, where Ms. Merkel stood side by side with Mr. Orban at a news conference.

— steven erlanger, New York Times, "For Europe, Cutting the Flow of Migrants Challenges Basic Ideals," 5 July 2018
The dilemma is that in this blossoming trade war, two of Kentucky’s interests are pitted against one another.

— joseph gerth, The Courier-Journal, "With aluminum tariffs, Matt Bevin is compromised and bourbon will pay," 22 June 2018
The dilemma was Nautilus’ inability to pay for the image with the embargo on commerce with North Korea in force.

— leah garchik, SFChronicle.com, "San Rafael Pacifics’ personal tribute to fatherhood," 20 June 2018
The dilemma is part of a two-tier criminal justice system in Alaska where people born and raised in isolated villages are not given the same basic protections as those in cities.

— Anchorage Daily News, "From criminal to cop, and back again, in Alaska’s most vulnerable villages," 9 June 2018
For those of us who like to hit the beach, the dilemmas are only exasperated thanks to the sun, sand, wind, and ocean.

— lauren swanson, Allure, "This Chic E-Retailer Is My New Favorite Place to Buy Summer Beauty Products," 6 June 2018
While the challenge often is truncating an abundance of material, sometimes the dilemma is the opposite.

— carita rizzo, The Hollywood Reporter, "Writers on 'Versace,' 'Tupac' and More Reveal Secrets to Bringing True Tales to the Screen," 1 June 2018
This dilemma is nothing new in thoroughbred racing, where owners and trainers routinely place multiple horses in the same race but also avoid matching their horses at inopportune times.

— childs walker, baltimoresun.com, "Audible out of Belmont Stakes, and his absence may affect fan views of Justify's Triple Crown bid," 25 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dilemma.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of dilemma

Late Latin, from Late Greek dilēmmat-, dilēmma, probably back-formation from Greek dilēmmatos involving two assumptions, from di- + lēmmat-, lēmma assumption — more at lemma

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1523

in the meaning defined at sense 3

See Words from the same year