quandary

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noun quan·da·ry \ ˈkwän-d(ə-)rē \

Definition of quandary

plural quandaries

:a state of perplexity or doubt

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Examples of quandary in a Sentence

Williams's quandary is not unlike that faced by other urban executives who have had to wrestle with a deeply rooted power structure. The problem is especially acute for African American mayors. They are expected to serve as sentries, protecting their cities' black communities and staving off so-called white encroachment. —Jonetta Rose Barras, Washington Post, 15 June 2003
For a sticky philosophical quandary, the questions are pretty simple: am I a clerk charged with selling college degrees or am I involved in a more meaningful experience? Part of me says that no argument is more worthy of my attention. —Lynne Drury Lerych, Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2001
… the inevitable economic quandary that faces a people in the transition from slavery to freedom, and especially those who make that change amid hate and prejudice, lawlessness and ruthless competition. —W. E. B. Du Bois, The Souls of Black Folk, 1903
The unexpected results of the test have created a quandary for researchers.
I'm in a quandary about whether I should try to repair my stereo or buy a new one, even though I don't have the money to do either.

Recent Examples of quandary from the Web

But her results have put Machado in an ethical quandary.

— alexandra sifferlin, Time, "Exclusive: Woman Can Move Again After a Breakthrough Stroke Treatment," 10 Aug. 2017
And there’s another quandary: Even a conversation about having these kinds of conversations can invite an antitrust investigation, as happened after the idea came up at a CIC conference in 2013.

— jon marcus, Washington Post, "Colleges say they could lower tuition — if only they could talk to each other about it," 1 Aug. 2017
So what is to be done about this socioeconomic quandary?

— richard lawson, Vanities, "Did a Car Accident Reveal a Darker Side of HGTV’s Biggest Hit?," 10 July 2017
And despite the quandary of measuring success and the relative youth of the organization, others have taken notice of RISE’s efforts.

— orion sang, Detroit Free Press, "Billionaire, Michigan alum Stephen Ross working to make RISE part of legacy," 10 July 2017
The weight of his quandary plays out on Cardona's furrowed brow, in his anxious gaze and gestures.

— sheri linden, The Hollywood Reporter, "'En el Septimo Dia': Film Review," 1 July 2017
Those of us who don’t live in New York but have to come to the city for work often find ourselves in a quandary.

— andy staples, SI.com, "Where to eat, drink in New York City," 30 June 2017
Also on the episode: Josh and Julie discuss Kim Kardashian’s decision to take her daughter’s puppy-naming quandary to Twitter.

— josh duboff, Vanities, "Prince Harry’s Sudden Soul-Baring: A Dramatic Deconstruction," 28 June 2017
As the series resumes production, the answer to that first quandary remains to be seen.

— laura bradley, HWD, "Is Bachelor in Paradise Tarnished Forever?," 23 June 2017

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