as in dilemma
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
if you had told the truth in the first place, we wouldn't be in this predicament
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Recent Examples of predicament
The term worst-case scenario doesn’t begin to accurately describe your character’s predicament in Thrash.
—
Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
The madman strategy is for not-crazy leaders caught in adverse predicaments.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026
Baby boomers have been getting plenty of blame for this predicament in recent years, but some defenders say it’s not entirely warranted.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Companies like TikTok and Snap are in the same predicament.
—Jennifer Elias,jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for predicament
Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
The madman strategy is for not-crazy leaders caught in adverse predicaments.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026
Baby boomers have been getting plenty of blame for this predicament in recent years, but some defenders say it’s not entirely warranted.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Companies like TikTok and Snap are in the same predicament.
—Jennifer Elias,jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for predicament
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predicament
Noun
-
For policymakers, the crisis caused by the Iran war poses a dilemma.—
Fabiano Maisonnave,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
This dilemma unfolded as delegates still waited to hear from all three gubernatorial candidates before casting a vote for that respective nominee.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some Cypress Village residents are beseeching the city to keep it that way, even as the HOA applies to let the pickle balling resume.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Much of the automobile industry is in a pickle.—
Jamie Lincoln Kitman,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Predicament.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predicament. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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