as in dilemma
a situation in which one has to choose between two or more equally unsatisfactory choices
I'm in a quandary about whether I should try to repair my stereo or buy a new one, even though I don't have the money to do either
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Recent Examples of quandary
From the invention of writing to the advent of the typewriter to the rise of the personal computer as collaborator, authors have attempted to address this quandary.
—
Joshua Bennett, The Atlantic, 15 Aug. 2025
For the tower’s architect Hugh Stubbins, who had never designed a New York high-rise, this posed a major quandary.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
Allow me a moment to explain the quandary.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
Connecticut state government continues to struggle with a payroll quandary.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quandary
Joshua Bennett, The Atlantic, 15 Aug. 2025
For the tower’s architect Hugh Stubbins, who had never designed a New York high-rise, this posed a major quandary.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
Allow me a moment to explain the quandary.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025
Connecticut state government continues to struggle with a payroll quandary.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quandary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quandary
dilemma
Noun
-
Fowler acknowledged the dilemma.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
-
However, critics point out weak eligibility criteria that may extend coal-plant lifetimes unnecessarily and may prolong the dilemma, not rectify it.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Quandary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quandary. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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