DOUBLE BIND Synonyms: 24 Similar and Opposite Words

double bind

noun

Definition of double bind

as in dilemma

a situation in which one has to choose between two or more equally unsatisfactory choices the double bind faced by every politician: responding to scurrilous charges only gives them unwarranted publicity; not responding to such charges is often interpreted as an admission of guilt

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Recent Examples of double bind As if breaking the law would offer a symbolic release from this double bind, the third video documents Liden trespassing into the apartment of an anonymous hoarder. — Erika Landström, Artforum, 2 June 2026 Cast members of color, on the other hand, are often trapped in a double bind of sorts. — Shamira Ibrahim, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026 China is already facing a double bind of labor shortages in some sectors and unemployment in others. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026 This double bind can be traumatic. — Hind Haddad, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for double bind

Recent Examples of Synonyms for double bind

Noun

That dilemma will not go away as long as Ukraine’s own infrastructure is exposed to attack.

— Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026
For Palestinian citizens of Israel, however, the country’s national ballots pose more of a dilemma.

— Tamir Sorek, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of dilemma

Noun

Last month, the Kremlin acknowledged problems with food and medical supplies getting into Oleshky, saying its military was working to resolve them.

— Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
In fact, the Iran war, inflation and the debt problems are potentially about to get even worse.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026