as in predicaments
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
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Recent Examples of pickles
The entire store is dedicated to the love of all kinds of pickles.
—
Megan Dubois, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2026
That is, not all pickles are fermented.
—Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 23 Feb. 2026
The streets of downtown Mansfield will be filled with colorful floats, marching groups, entertainers and pickles.
—Alyson Rodriguez, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
Those interested in home cooking may want to sign up for learning The Art of Pickling with Chef Lex at Haberdish, a $47 class including lite bites for snacking, two 32-ounce glass jars of custom pickles and take-home recipe cards.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
The Crispy Cod Sammie is topped with Sweet Vinegar Slaw, pickles and a choice of Bama White or Tartar Dippin’ Sauce, while the platter features two cod filets served with sauce on the side.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Feb. 2026
The Crispy Cod Sammie is topped with Sweet Vinegar Slaw, pickles and a choice of Bama White or Tartar Dippin’ Sauce, while the platter features two cod filets served with sauce on the side.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 18 Feb. 2026
Watts-That Soul Food Southern fried pork chops and catfish share a menu with wings, Kool-Aid pickles and more at this soul food truck.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
The two whip up a lavish dip packed with cheese, greens and pickles, which add tang to cut through the indulgent creaminess.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Megan Dubois, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2026
That is, not all pickles are fermented.
—Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 23 Feb. 2026
The streets of downtown Mansfield will be filled with colorful floats, marching groups, entertainers and pickles.
—Alyson Rodriguez, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
Those interested in home cooking may want to sign up for learning The Art of Pickling with Chef Lex at Haberdish, a $47 class including lite bites for snacking, two 32-ounce glass jars of custom pickles and take-home recipe cards.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
The Crispy Cod Sammie is topped with Sweet Vinegar Slaw, pickles and a choice of Bama White or Tartar Dippin’ Sauce, while the platter features two cod filets served with sauce on the side.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Feb. 2026
The Crispy Cod Sammie is topped with Sweet Vinegar Slaw, pickles and a choice of Bama White or Tartar Dippin’ Sauce, while the platter features two cod filets served with sauce on the side.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 18 Feb. 2026
Watts-That Soul Food Southern fried pork chops and catfish share a menu with wings, Kool-Aid pickles and more at this soul food truck.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
The two whip up a lavish dip packed with cheese, greens and pickles, which add tang to cut through the indulgent creaminess.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pickles
Noun
-
Winning from behind is not sustainable, and the predicaments in which Chelsea have found themselves this week point to other problems.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Rustin has slyly given her script a focus on women’s needs and feelings, a welcome departure for a genre that usually is more concerned about the men’s predicaments.—
Matthew J. Palm,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
While Season 3 brought a horror vibe to portraying Joe Leaphorn’s moral and personal dilemmas, Season 4 has its own, almost David Lynchian, style.—
Pat Saperstein,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Parents of teens are faced with many dilemmas, one of which might be whether or not to allow their teen to get a job.—
Elisa Cinelli,
Parents,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Grandma Syl’s flaky cream cheese pastry was shaped into tiny triangles framing sweet dollops of her homemade raspberry and apricot-pineapple jams.—
Betsy Andrews,
Saveur,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Their berries are great for smoothies, jams, and sauces.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But otherwise, the kids were free to roam around Iron River, playing football in their front yard and basketball on the playground, or cutting through woods and swamps.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Much of that wildlife is concentrated within Corcovado National Park, 163-plus-square-miles of tropical forest, mangrove swamps, and beaches.—
Laura Kiniry,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For most of Sunday, Bridgeman played golf stuck in neutral, par golf through 15 holes with nobody — not even McIlroy — truly providing pressure.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
McIlory remained steady, parring the final seven holes, but failed to gain ground.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pickles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pickles. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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