dilemma

noun di·lem·ma \ də-ˈle-mə also dī- \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

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

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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

The biggest dilemma will be Liuget, who was already a possibility for a camp cut before his suspension.

— dan woike, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Chargers need to get Bosa, Ingram help on defensive line," 14 Apr. 2018
But the trade-off is remarkable: a compelling examination of acute moral dilemmas faced by recognizable people with rich inner lives.

— justin hayford, Chicago Reader, "A new production of An Ideal Husband humanizes Oscar Wilde," 13 Apr. 2018
Staben didn’t realize the athletic department at large wasn’t aware of the budget dilemma that will reach the State Board of Education later this month.

— chadd cripe, idahostatesman, "U of I soccer players fight to save their program days after stunning news | Idaho Statesman," 10 Apr. 2018
That is typical of the E.U.’s dilemma in how to address Hungary’s piece-by-piece moves against the rule of law and democratic norms.

— Washington Post, "In Eastern Europe, the E.U. faces a rebellion more threatening than Brexit," 5 Apr. 2018
That becomes the crux of the dilemma: If a restaurant is still excellent, or serves a purpose that no one else does, should it be excluded from coverage?

— San Francisco Chronicle, "Faded luster," 1 Apr. 2018
This is just one illustration of the Republican dilemma.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Republicans may come to regret their silence on Trump," 22 Mar. 2018
This throws up a number of ethical and legal dilemmas.

— aristos georgiou, Newsweek, "This Startup Wants to Preserve Your Brain and Upload Your Mind to a Computer with a Product That's '100% Fatal'," 14 Mar. 2018
At this point, some fans have gotten themselves into a bit of a shipping dilemma: Can one ship Jughead and Betty together while also shipping their parents together?

— noelle devoe, Seventeen, "FP & Alice Are Totally Getting Together Based On This Sexy New "Riverdale" Teaser," 9 Mar. 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

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First Known Use: 1523

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