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
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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
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Recent Examples of dilemma
Acquiring human capital for a new enterprise is time-consuming and faces the chicken-egg dilemma.
—
Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
In fact, synthetic embryos are being used by engineers for drug testing and research, which is not considered to pose any ethical dilemma in the near future.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026
Set in a small Nenets community in the Arctic peninsula of Yamal, Nerkagi’s White Moss invites the reader into the impossible dilemmas of navigating an Indigenous life in the modern world.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
The clash over how many candidates to include underscored the dilemma facing Democrats, who are anxious to avoid a potentially embarrassing outcome in a state that hasn't voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1988.
—Joseph Ax, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dilemma
Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
In fact, synthetic embryos are being used by engineers for drug testing and research, which is not considered to pose any ethical dilemma in the near future.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026
Set in a small Nenets community in the Arctic peninsula of Yamal, Nerkagi’s White Moss invites the reader into the impossible dilemmas of navigating an Indigenous life in the modern world.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
The clash over how many candidates to include underscored the dilemma facing Democrats, who are anxious to avoid a potentially embarrassing outcome in a state that hasn't voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1988.
—Joseph Ax, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dilemma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilemma
Noun
-
According to ZamZows, most Idahoans have a mix of sandy and clay soil, which can both cause problems in the garden.—
McClatchy,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Apr. 2026
-
But even the significant pressure of hundreds, then thousands, of criminal defendants being released or their cases dropped did little to move the needle on a permanent solution to the problem.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Baby boomers have been getting plenty of blame for this predicament in recent years, but some defenders say it’s not entirely warranted.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
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Companies like TikTok and Snap are in the same predicament.—
Jennifer Elias,Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Apple is in this quandary in part because, compared to its tech peers, the company has been slow to AI.—
MacKenzie Sigalos,
CNBC,
4 Apr. 2026
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Pattinson and Zendaya are great in it, but the twist and the moral quandary that comes with it are going to take precedence.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Serve over rice with yogurt and achaar (or whatever pickle-y thing is around).—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 Apr. 2026
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Over the decades, children have given up everything from sunflower seeds to pickles.—
Elliot Mann,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dilemma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilemma. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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