as in dilemma
a situation in which one has to choose between two or more equally unsatisfactory choices
the double bind faced by every politician: responding to scurrilous charges only gives them unwarranted publicity; not responding to such charges is often interpreted as an admission of guilt
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Recent Examples of double bind
Now they're caught in a double bind: 85% of the mineral fertilizer potash used by American farmers comes from Canada, while our northern neighbor also provides a quarter of farmers' nitrogen needs.
—
Phil Lempert, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
That leaves the consumer in a double bind: still resilient, but increasingly forced to be discerning, particularly in a world where prices perniciously creep up.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
This creates a double bind: Officials have an obligation to warn people at risk, yet frequent warnings can desensitize recipients.
—Hamilton Bean, The Conversation, 11 July 2025
The double bind of healthcare and legal danger made my life in this country suffocating.
—Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for double bind
Phil Lempert, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
That leaves the consumer in a double bind: still resilient, but increasingly forced to be discerning, particularly in a world where prices perniciously creep up.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
This creates a double bind: Officials have an obligation to warn people at risk, yet frequent warnings can desensitize recipients.
—Hamilton Bean, The Conversation, 11 July 2025
The double bind of healthcare and legal danger made my life in this country suffocating.
—Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for double bind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for double bind
Noun
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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
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Economists often refer to such situations as a prisoner’s dilemma, in which individuals, businesses, or countries could theoretically benefit from coöperating with one another but also have, or are presented with, incentives to act selfishly and cut their own deals.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Law enforcement agencies were working with the airports to resolve problems and issues stemming from the cyberattack.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Sep. 2025
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Kirk believed universities had drifted away from teaching critical skills like writing and problem solving, focusing instead on conformity while saddling students with debt.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Double bind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/double%20bind. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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