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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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 quandary In the middle of his final quandary, he was interrupted by a phone call from the former Tonight Show host. Daysia Tolentino, EW.com, 24 Aug. 2025 And the more energy-efficient AI models become, the more incentive there will be to use them freely and thereby raise their total energy footprint even more, a quandary known as the Jevons paradox that is already visible across Big Tech. Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 21 Aug. 2025 To navigate a heavyweight corporate quandary, take a leaf out of Intel’s brilliant playbook — walk out, and return as your own successor. L. David Marquet, Big Think, 18 Aug. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for quandary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quandary
dilemma
Noun
  • That means having to resolve a strategic dilemma in China.
    Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Chase Infiniti’s breakout performance has generated significant word-of-mouth but positioning her in lead leaves more room for co-stars Teyana Taylor and Regina Hall in supporting roles, and less of a chance of a classic vote-splitting dilemma that has derailed campaigns in the past.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Quandary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quandary. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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