1
as in problems
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 predicaments
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
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Recent Examples of dilemmas
True moral dilemmas, which become tangled in ways that seem impossible to unravel, with his private life.
—
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
The author recalled having a nightmare about his own family and unconsciously tapping into his personal dilemmas, which provided the basis for the book by the time the sun rose.
—Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Those on the conference call would likely face very human dilemmas, and that might lead them to deviate from the rules, added Erin Dumbacher, an expert in nuclear policy at the Council on Foreign Relations.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
Advertisement Political obstacles The electoral dispute highlights Somalia’s ongoing political dilemmas.
—Omar S Mahmood, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
With its iconic captains, philosophical dilemmas and unforgettable alien encounters, the Trek universe is rich with lore, logic, and a whole lot of technobabble.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 19 Oct. 2025
The dilemmas of post-revolutionary life—in particular, the gap between fulsome propaganda and flawed realities—were efficiently captured, as usual, in the popular genre known as the anekdot.
—Benjamin Nathans
september 24, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
In the plot, a fictional president of Italy faces moral and ethical dilemmas.
—Marcelo Cajueiro, Variety, 23 Sep. 2025
Her bi-monthly AI Logs column explores the latest trends, breakthroughs, and ethical dilemmas in AI, delivering expert analysis and fresh insights.
—The Ai Insider, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2025
Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
The author recalled having a nightmare about his own family and unconsciously tapping into his personal dilemmas, which provided the basis for the book by the time the sun rose.
—Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Those on the conference call would likely face very human dilemmas, and that might lead them to deviate from the rules, added Erin Dumbacher, an expert in nuclear policy at the Council on Foreign Relations.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
Advertisement Political obstacles The electoral dispute highlights Somalia’s ongoing political dilemmas.
—Omar S Mahmood, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
With its iconic captains, philosophical dilemmas and unforgettable alien encounters, the Trek universe is rich with lore, logic, and a whole lot of technobabble.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 19 Oct. 2025
The dilemmas of post-revolutionary life—in particular, the gap between fulsome propaganda and flawed realities—were efficiently captured, as usual, in the popular genre known as the anekdot.
—Benjamin Nathans
september 24, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
In the plot, a fictional president of Italy faces moral and ethical dilemmas.
—Marcelo Cajueiro, Variety, 23 Sep. 2025
Her bi-monthly AI Logs column explores the latest trends, breakthroughs, and ethical dilemmas in AI, delivering expert analysis and fresh insights.
—The Ai Insider, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilemmas
Noun
-
As well as visibility of the northern lights, strong geomagnetic storms can also cause problems with technology, such as fluctations in the power grid and interference with satellites, which can affect GPS.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Plus, in his first weeks of discussions with the union’s staff, Astin became more aware of problems involving auditions and casting directors.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Pakistan Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said his nation was hoping for more of a consensus going into Tuesday’s vote given the funding predicaments and operational issues that have dogged the MSS.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Is River in desperate need of some R&R, or is everyone else projecting their own predicaments onto him?—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Because both of these feats brought Witt into mental quandaries that illustrate where his head is on milestones and where his head is going in terms of where his program is going in its third year.—
Brian Robin,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Kristen Arnett weighs in on this and other literary quandaries.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
To get the Benny Blanco drink, customers could add cherry flavor and pickles.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Then she’s trapped by aisles on all sides, boxed in by shelf after shelf of pickles.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dilemmas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilemmas. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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