double bind
noun
: a psychological predicament in which a person receives from a single source conflicting messages that allow no appropriate response to be made
broadly
: dilemma sense 1
Examples of double bind in a Sentence
the double bind faced by every politician: responding to scurrilous charges only gives them unwarranted publicity; not responding to such charges is often interpreted as an admission of guilt
Recent Examples on the Web
This creates a double bind: Officials have an obligation to warn people at risk, yet frequent warnings can desensitize recipients.
—
Hamilton Bean, The Conversation, 11 July 2025
This double bind represents one of the most obvious barriers in contemporary workplace cultures overall, where the mere act of being perceived as vulnerable can come at a professional cost, one that only worsens over entire careers.
—Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
The double bind of healthcare and legal danger made my life in this country suffocating.
—Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
In southern states like Georgia and Florida, tariff uncertainty has compounded ongoing climate risks, creating a double bind for producers navigating both economic and environmental volatility.
—Artem Milinchuk, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for double bind
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Hamilton Bean, The Conversation, 11 July 2025
This double bind represents one of the most obvious barriers in contemporary workplace cultures overall, where the mere act of being perceived as vulnerable can come at a professional cost, one that only worsens over entire careers.
—Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
The double bind of healthcare and legal danger made my life in this country suffocating.
—Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
In southern states like Georgia and Florida, tariff uncertainty has compounded ongoing climate risks, creating a double bind for producers navigating both economic and environmental volatility.
—Artem Milinchuk, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for double bind
Cite this Entry
“Double bind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double%20bind. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
double bind
noun
dou·ble bind
ˈdəb-əl-ˈbīnd 
: a psychological predicament in which a person receives from a single source conflicting messages that allow no appropriate response to be made
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