double binds

noun

plural of double bind
as in dilemmas
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for double binds
  1. dilemmas
  2. problems
Noun
  • Hitchcock’s Rear Window, though not a road horror film, is about the moral dilemmas associated with encounters with the other, particularly with regards to voyeurism.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Together, Frankenstein and The Vampyre remind us of literature’s power to probe the deepest questions of human existence, offering enduring insights into the ethical, social, and existential dilemmas that continue to shape our world.
    — Maria Papadouris, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of dilemmas
Noun
  • All three owners described problems appearing after very little use.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
  • If climbing stairs is challenging for you due to pain, weakness, or balance problems, check in with your healthcare provider.
    — Kristen Gasnick, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of problems
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

double bind
double binds
double-cross
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Cite this Entry

“Double binds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/double%20binds. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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