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
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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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of dilemma
Eric Muller: Federal workers may soon face moral dilemmas.
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Armando L. Sanchez, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2025
Advice on life’s trickiest situations and moral dilemmas from the philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
To its credit, Doc is more adept at crafting moral dilemmas that force its characters to reckon with the cost of saving one child at the expense of another’s health, or a patient’s right to know a secret that could destroy his family.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Jan. 2025
The dilemma in attaining true freedom led them to pray, sing, shout, and embody the Holy Spirit for hours leading up to midnight on the first.
—Nyya Toussaint / Made By History, TIME, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dilemma 
Armando L. Sanchez, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2025
Advice on life’s trickiest situations and moral dilemmas from the philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
To its credit, Doc is more adept at crafting moral dilemmas that force its characters to reckon with the cost of saving one child at the expense of another’s health, or a patient’s right to know a secret that could destroy his family.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Jan. 2025
The dilemma in attaining true freedom led them to pray, sing, shout, and embody the Holy Spirit for hours leading up to midnight on the first.
—Nyya Toussaint / Made By History, TIME, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dilemma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilemma
Noun
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According to Parker, the majority of Arkansas highways and interstates are in good condition as Department of Transportation crews have transitioned from plowing to spot controlling any remaining problem areas with rock salt.Parker Mancino, arkansasonline.com, 12 Jan. 2025
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Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion, could cause Gauff some problems.Matthew Futterman, The Athletic, 12 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The confusion over Everton’s managerial situation has been unhelpful given the team’s predicament.Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
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The widespread indifference to the Uyghurs’ predicament exposes double standards, not only among today’s prevailing political ideologies, but also within the international politics of human rights.Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Instead, unfortunately, these are the types of quandaries desperate owners sometimes back themselves into, and only then go looking for the reasons why.Jim Ingraham, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
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Collision, as used by PST ART, is tech-bro speak, a euphemism, like the buzzword disruption, that promises the creation of new, exciting opportunities while minimizing the severity of moral quandaries and social ills.Michaëla de Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Leftover charcuterie is a bit of a challenge, with items as diverse as fig jam or Jamón Ibérico and a vast spread of about six categories (carbs, meat, cheese, spreads, pickles, and nuts).Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2025
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The restaurant serves chili on burgers — which come in single, double and triple patty options, each with tomatoes, pickles, onions and mustard.Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near dilemma
Cite this Entry
“Dilemma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilemma. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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