dilemma

noun

də-ˈle-mə How to pronounce dilemma (audio)
Definition of dilemmanext
1
as in problem
a situation in which one has to choose between two or more equally unsatisfactory choices faced with a dilemma of whether to risk continuing to drive in the dangerous storm or to give up searching for the lost dog and hope he survived

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in predicament
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape with home prices in a free fall, sellers were in a terrible dilemma

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 dilemma The Ukrainian strikes on oil facilities have presented Putin with a dilemma. — Phillips Payson O’Brien, The Atlantic, 30 June 2026 Deciding whether to include a second job on your resume is a common dilemma, as hiring managers often disagree on such details. — Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 That's becoming an increasingly common dilemma as veterinary care grows more expensive each year. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 29 June 2026 Controversy upon controversy In a best-case scenario, the notion of steering a natural disaster is an ethical dilemma. — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for dilemma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilemma
  1. problem
  2. predicament
  3. quandary
  4. pickle
Noun
  • Teams that are not ready solve yesterday's problems and call it strategy.
    — Tracy Lawrence, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • The pool did not open Saturday with the city's other outdoor pools after mechanical problems delayed the start of the season for the second consecutive year.
    — Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Definition of problem
Noun
  • The combination of Olise’s footwork and Mbappé’s speed creates a don’t-know-where-to-turn predicament for France’s opponents.
    — Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026
  • Potential romantic entanglement aside, these two have seriously different perspectives on Paula’s predicament.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 1 July 2026
Definition of predicament
Noun
  • That’s one of the biggest quandaries in projecting this roster.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
  • Good morning from Chicago, Trying to win the same game almost every day creates a quandary.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2026
Definition of quandary
Noun
  • Start with the Single Smash, layered with griddled onions, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and smash sauce, then explore variations from there, including a falafel smash for vegetarians.
    — Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • The dog can also be served in a classic Chicago-style, topped with mustard, relish, onion, tomato, celery salt, sport peppers and pickle.
    — Hannah Hudnall, USA Today, 29 June 2026
Definition of pickle

Browse Nearby Words

dilatory
dilemma
dilemmas
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dilemma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilemma. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on dilemma

Nglish: Translation of dilemma for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dilemma

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gambol

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All