as in dilemmas
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 predicaments
Pakistan Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said his nation was hoping for more of a consensus going into Tuesday’s vote given the funding predicaments and operational issues that have dogged the MSS.
—
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Is River in desperate need of some R&R, or is everyone else projecting their own predicaments onto him?
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2025
Bolstered by its defensive line, Lawrence Academy (1-0) repeatedly forced Thayer’s Evriviades (9-15, 109 yards, INT) into difficult predicaments.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
There’s a two-step process to getting out of these kind of predicaments.
—Wayne Chan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Sep. 2025
Reading the poem today, one is still struck by the predicaments and responsibilities this voice takes up.
—Elaine L. Wang
september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
These extreme predicaments and the deaths of people trapped in flooding homes in the Lower Ninth Ward were powerful reminders of the vulnerability of many low-income, elderly and ill residents who were unable to get out ahead of the disaster.
—Eric Kevin Stern, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2025
That being said, the news is filled with articles about schools in similar predicaments taking more draconian measures or even being forced to close.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2025
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Is River in desperate need of some R&R, or is everyone else projecting their own predicaments onto him?
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2025
Bolstered by its defensive line, Lawrence Academy (1-0) repeatedly forced Thayer’s Evriviades (9-15, 109 yards, INT) into difficult predicaments.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
There’s a two-step process to getting out of these kind of predicaments.
—Wayne Chan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Sep. 2025
Reading the poem today, one is still struck by the predicaments and responsibilities this voice takes up.
—Elaine L. Wang
september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
These extreme predicaments and the deaths of people trapped in flooding homes in the Lower Ninth Ward were powerful reminders of the vulnerability of many low-income, elderly and ill residents who were unable to get out ahead of the disaster.
—Eric Kevin Stern, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2025
That being said, the news is filled with articles about schools in similar predicaments taking more draconian measures or even being forced to close.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predicaments
Noun
-
The author recalled having a nightmare about his own family and unconsciously tapping into his personal dilemmas, which provided the basis for the book by the time the sun rose.—
Julie Tremaine,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Those on the conference call would likely face very human dilemmas, and that might lead them to deviate from the rules, added Erin Dumbacher, an expert in nuclear policy at the Council on Foreign Relations.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
To get the Benny Blanco drink, customers could add cherry flavor and pickles.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Then she’s trapped by aisles on all sides, boxed in by shelf after shelf of pickles.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Predicaments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predicaments. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share