Dilemma
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /daɪˈlɛmə/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Dilemma is a noun meaning A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable.
Meaning
A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable.
More Meanings
- Any difficult circumstance or problem.
- (rhetoric) Offering to an opponent a choice between two (equally unfavorable) alternatives.
- (logic) A type of syllogism of the form "if A is true then B is true; if C is true then D is true; either A or C is true; therefore either B or D is true".
Example Sentences
A strong dilemma in a desperate case! / To act with infamy, or quit the place.
Word Forms
- dilemmas
- dilemmata
Synonyms for dilemma
Depending on context, synonyms include quandary, bind, fix, pickle, problem, calvary.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include quandary, paradox, contradiction, conundrum, trade-off, puzzle.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.