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
This double bind can be traumatic.
—
Hind Haddad, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2025
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
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
Hind Haddad, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2025
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
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
-
Flaherty has a $20 million player option for next season and could make more by opting out and accepting the qualifying offer, which presents an interesting dilemma.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
-
That points to the major dilemma underpinning Sharaa’s position.—
Mireille Rebeiz,
The Conversation,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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On Monday, of course, the problem wasn’t Durbin getting caught stealing.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Cascale’s Joël Mertens further outlined the problem.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Double bind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/double%20bind. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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