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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dilemma
In terms of telling her own story, Taparjan faced a dilemma.
—
Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
The burning Gulf state dilemma What is clear is that Iranian officials view the Israeli — or American — targeting of facilities in their territorial waters in the South Pars field as sufficient to justify hitting facilities on the Qatari side.
—Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2026
For Takaichi, the dilemma is acute.
—Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
Earning minutes Charles Lee had a good dilemma on his hands.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dilemma
Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 Mar. 2026
The burning Gulf state dilemma What is clear is that Iranian officials view the Israeli — or American — targeting of facilities in their territorial waters in the South Pars field as sufficient to justify hitting facilities on the Qatari side.
—Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2026
For Takaichi, the dilemma is acute.
—Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
Earning minutes Charles Lee had a good dilemma on his hands.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dilemma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilemma
Noun
-
Clemons also argued that skill game machines may contribute to public safety problems.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Mar. 2026
-
At the time, there were problems, and Mueller said as much.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This is the current predicament of Pahlavi, whose royal charisma has never been more on the line.—
Azadeh Moaveni,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
-
One thing the two men could agree on was that this whole predicament was Jimmy Buffett’s fault.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This quandary didn’t sneak up on us.—
Jonathan Thompson,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026
-
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
-
So, given the resemblance, why weren’t the Jam in a pickle?—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Dill for digestion, fish dishes of all manners, and knock-your-socks-off garlicy pickles.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dilemma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilemma. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
