dilemma

noun

di·​lem·​ma də-ˈle-mə 

 also  dī-

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

dilemmatic

ˌdi-lə-ˈma-tik 

 also  ˌdī-

adjective

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.

Synonyms

• problem
• quandary

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 on the Web

The dilemma about his son provides the bare minimum of drama to chew on, allowing Dexter’s focus to shift toward playful topics like his new cold-blooded buddies and the peculiar nature of his new playground, New York City. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 10 July 2025

This case involving the MyPillow lawyers is just a microcosm of the growing dilemma of how courts and lawyers can strike the balance between welcoming life-changing technology and using it responsibly in court. —Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 10 July 2025

Thus, the core dilemma facing gold investors today is which form to invest in: paper or tangible metal. —Max Baecker, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

Travel experts offer their take on how to navigate this tricky dilemma. —AFAR Media, 7 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing dilemma

• on the horns of a dilemma

Rhymes for dilemma

• oedema
• angioedema
• emma
• gemma
• lemma
• lymphedema
• papilledema
• plasmalemma
• sarcolemma

Kids Definition

dilemma

noun

di·​lem·​ma də-ˈlem-ə 

 also  dī-

: a situation in which one has to choose between two or more things, ways, or plans that are equally unsatisfactory : a difficult choice