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 represents one of the most obvious barriers in contemporary workplace cultures overall, where the mere act of being perceived as vulnerable can come at a professional cost, one that only worsens over entire careers.
—
Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
The double bind of healthcare and legal danger made my life in this country suffocating.
—Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
Homebuyers now face a double bind: inflated prices and higher monthly payments.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
After October 7th, the magazine found itself in an agonizing double bind.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for double bind
Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
The double bind of healthcare and legal danger made my life in this country suffocating.
—Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
Homebuyers now face a double bind: inflated prices and higher monthly payments.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
After October 7th, the magazine found itself in an agonizing double bind.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for double bind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for double bind
Noun
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Fowler acknowledged the dilemma.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
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However, critics point out weak eligibility criteria that may extend coal-plant lifetimes unnecessarily and may prolong the dilemma, not rectify it.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The Chrisley family is finally back together again, but a set of federal prison sentences may have been the least of their problems.—
Ryan Coleman September 2,
EW.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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Profit and sustainability rules should not present a problem in January, so there should be no major barriers to some spending other than Fosun’s recent reluctance to add significant extra funds for player trading.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Double bind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/double%20bind. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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