1
as in problem
a situation in which one has to choose between two or more equally unsatisfactory choices
faced with a dilemma of whether to risk continuing to drive in the dangerous storm or to give up searching for the lost dog and hope he survived
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in predicament
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
with home prices in a free fall, sellers were in a terrible dilemma
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dilemma
Acquiring human capital for a new enterprise is time-consuming and faces the chicken-egg dilemma.
—
Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
In fact, synthetic embryos are being used by engineers for drug testing and research, which is not considered to pose any ethical dilemma in the near future.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026
Set in a small Nenets community in the Arctic peninsula of Yamal, Nerkagi’s White Moss invites the reader into the impossible dilemmas of navigating an Indigenous life in the modern world.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
The clash over how many candidates to include underscored the dilemma facing Democrats, who are anxious to avoid a potentially embarrassing outcome in a state that hasn't voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1988.
—Joseph Ax, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dilemma
Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
In fact, synthetic embryos are being used by engineers for drug testing and research, which is not considered to pose any ethical dilemma in the near future.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026
Set in a small Nenets community in the Arctic peninsula of Yamal, Nerkagi’s White Moss invites the reader into the impossible dilemmas of navigating an Indigenous life in the modern world.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
The clash over how many candidates to include underscored the dilemma facing Democrats, who are anxious to avoid a potentially embarrassing outcome in a state that hasn't voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1988.
—Joseph Ax, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dilemma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilemma
Noun
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Then last season’s nightmarish problems closing games carried over into 2026.—
Jim Barnes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
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Anything else is going to be a problem.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Lee said financial pressure on cities has contributed to DART’s predicament this year, and simply moving money around won’t help.—
Lilly Kersh,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Councilmember Kent Lee said this winter that the dire predicament facing the city’s Transportation Department should have been the centerpiece of the campaign for a 2024 ballot measure to raise the city’s sales tax.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This quandary didn’t sneak up on us.—
Jonathan Thompson,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026
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Trent Williams could be traded if the San Francisco 49ers fail to solve the quandary of his sky-high salary cap hit in 2026.—
Noah Furtado,
San Francisco Chronicle,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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A little girl who loved green aliens, drinking pickle juice and picking buttercups in the field with her mom.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
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Megan Thee Stallion is a genuine fan of the product — she was publicly spotted combining Flamin’ Hot Cheetos with actual pickles before any brand partnership existed.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dilemma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilemma. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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