pickle

noun

ˈpi-kəl How to pronounce pickle (audio)
Definition of picklenext
as in predicament
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape well, this is a bit of a pickle we've gotten ourselves into

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of pickle Its chicken salad scoop options include the Olivia’s Old South (sweet pickles and egg), Jalapeño Holly (with jalapeños), Nutty Nanna (with pecans and cashews), and Barbie Q. — Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2026 And Pickle City pickle ball courts, as well as an indoor go-karting track and an arcade, are open as entertainment options. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2026 Dill pickle juice adds tang, just like the pickle slices served alongside the original dish. — Torie Cox, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2026 This is maybe one that a true pickle lover looking to experiment would really enjoy. — Bianca Harris, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pickle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pickle
  1. predicament
  2. dilemma
  3. hole
  4. bind
  5. swamp
  6. jam
Noun
  • In Brittle Magic, Newbery honoree Kate O’Shaughnessy introduces us to a young girl in a similar predicament.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Back on Earth, the band remain comatose and their predicament triggers an obscure rule of the underworld known as the Coma Clause, which keeps the Gates of Hell open to them for as long as their bodies remain alive.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of predicament
Noun
  • The Democratic dilemma was crystallized last month when Democratic National Committee members approved dueling messages — one to abolish ICE, the other to reform it.
    — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
  • To the modern true-crime aficionado, the Unabomber must present an intriguing dilemma.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of dilemma
Noun
  • On the other side of the field, the entrance to the gymnasium shed was a dark hole.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • These holes are notorious for getting plugged with debris, worsening water accumulation.
    — Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of hole
Noun
  • More recently, in 2023, Belarusian embassies abroad stopped extending or renewing passports entirely, putting dissidents who fled the country in a similar bind to those from Myanmar.
    — Andrew Nachemson, The Dial, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Feasting on neutrality Few illustrate the current bind better than Caitlin Clark.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of bind
Noun
  • The decision by crypto’s current generation of leaders to trade in these ideals for swamp-style politics can, therefore, be seen as a deep betrayal.
    — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Instead, Berry built the swamp on an indoor soundstage and filled it with water.
    — Emily Zemler, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of swamp
Noun
  • Ben Jones as Cooter Davenport Ben Jones played Cooter Davenport, the lovable mechanic who was always ready to help the Duke boys out of a jam, with a garage that served as both a workplace and hideout when needed.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The only problem is that the lyrics aren’t really more comprehensible than actual Katseye jams.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of jam

Browse Nearby Words

picking up on
pickle
pickled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pickle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pickle. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pickle

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pickle

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