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
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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.
—
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
Find someone who can step back and see your dilemmas from a different angle.
—Nirit Cohen, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Thus a lot of the narrative believability of the main characters’ dilemmas doesn’t always land.
—Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025
The Berlin researchers gave their subjects hypothetical moral dilemmas.
—Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
The preference for self-reliance held both for personal-choice dilemmas and social dilemmas, where helping someone could hurt one’s own interests.
—New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2025
Facing ethical dilemmas, an inability to monitor labor conditions, and mounting sustainability concerns, many brands and retailers have withdrawn from Myanmar since the coup, including H&M, Primark, Inditex, Fast Retailing, Tchibo and Marks & Spencer.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 18 Aug. 2025
With topics ranging from triple-captain dilemmas to dark-horse midfielders and how the new Defensive Contributions (DC) rule works, here are Abdul’s answers to some of the standout queries.
—Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
European democracies often avoid these ethical dilemmas through institutional design.
—Davina Hurt, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
Find someone who can step back and see your dilemmas from a different angle.
—Nirit Cohen, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Thus a lot of the narrative believability of the main characters’ dilemmas doesn’t always land.
—Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025
The Berlin researchers gave their subjects hypothetical moral dilemmas.
—Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
The preference for self-reliance held both for personal-choice dilemmas and social dilemmas, where helping someone could hurt one’s own interests.
—New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2025
Facing ethical dilemmas, an inability to monitor labor conditions, and mounting sustainability concerns, many brands and retailers have withdrawn from Myanmar since the coup, including H&M, Primark, Inditex, Fast Retailing, Tchibo and Marks & Spencer.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 18 Aug. 2025
With topics ranging from triple-captain dilemmas to dark-horse midfielders and how the new Defensive Contributions (DC) rule works, here are Abdul’s answers to some of the standout queries.
—Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
European democracies often avoid these ethical dilemmas through institutional design.
—Davina Hurt, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilemmas
Noun
-
This body is now written into the club’s articles of association, in theory reducing the chance of problems.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The past year has been marred by a number of troubles, including resolving management problems and financial issues.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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These extreme predicaments and the deaths of people trapped in flooding homes in the Lower Ninth Ward were powerful reminders of the vulnerability of many low-income, elderly and ill residents who were unable to get out ahead of the disaster.—
Eric Kevin Stern,
The Conversation,
25 Aug. 2025
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That being said, the news is filled with articles about schools in similar predicaments taking more draconian measures or even being forced to close.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Stay tuned to read about myths, quandaries, benefits and what's next in the evolution of AI agents in the next part of my article.—
Karpagam Narayanan,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
For Jodi Picoult — the author of 29 books, including Mad Honey, Handle With Care, and My Sister’s Keeper — politics has always gone hand in hand with writing novels about moral quandaries and familial sagas.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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From premium cuts of beef and pickles sourced from a local business to artisanal bread from a neighborhood bakery, combined with tableside presentation and personalized service, every detail is crafted to deliver elegance, artistry and a story guests will remember.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Jarred pickles are something of an essential accouterment to have on hand, especially in a Southern kitchen.—
Darcy Lenz,
Southern Living,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
One of the biggest difficulties in devising laws on the topic of AI for mental health involves defining what constitutes AI for mental health.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Children exposed to wildfire smoke may experience chest pain and tightness, breathing difficulties, coughing, and irritation in the nose, throat, and eyes, among other symptoms.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dilemmas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilemmas. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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