1
as in problems
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 predicaments
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 dilemmas
UAVs can extend reach, generate mass, create dilemmas, and impose costs.
—
David A. Deptula,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Instead of adding more junk to your drawers, these clever gadgets actually solve kitchen dilemmas we’re all faced with.
—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
26 June 2026
At the time, the metaphor seemed to work because of the particular dilemmas posed by Brexit.
—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
Readers learn not simply from facts but from context, uncertainty, leadership dilemmas and competing priorities.
—
Sreedhar Potarazu,
Baltimore Sun,
20 June 2026
Coffee tables with storage solve one of the living room’s most relatable design dilemmas, keeping remotes and coasters neatly out of sight.
—
Rachel Fletcher,
Architectural Digest,
19 June 2026
But neither option, Kuntz explained, seems likely to resolve Hollywood’s dilemmas.
—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
15 June 2026
Lead executives Jon Wallace and Ben Tenzer will be dealing with far more pressing dilemmas on draft night and in the days that follow, but they’re also tasked with using the low-value pick to locate someone who can help Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets win immediately.
—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
9 June 2026
The regulation of our environment; the presence of chemicals both intentionally and unwittingly in our food, water, air, and land; the ecological fate of all living creatures, and of the earth itself—all these dilemmas and conundrums find urgent expression in Carson’s work.
—
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
David A. Deptula,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Instead of adding more junk to your drawers, these clever gadgets actually solve kitchen dilemmas we’re all faced with.
—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
26 June 2026
At the time, the metaphor seemed to work because of the particular dilemmas posed by Brexit.
—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
Readers learn not simply from facts but from context, uncertainty, leadership dilemmas and competing priorities.
—
Sreedhar Potarazu,
Baltimore Sun,
20 June 2026
Coffee tables with storage solve one of the living room’s most relatable design dilemmas, keeping remotes and coasters neatly out of sight.
—
Rachel Fletcher,
Architectural Digest,
19 June 2026
But neither option, Kuntz explained, seems likely to resolve Hollywood’s dilemmas.
—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
15 June 2026
Lead executives Jon Wallace and Ben Tenzer will be dealing with far more pressing dilemmas on draft night and in the days that follow, but they’re also tasked with using the low-value pick to locate someone who can help Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets win immediately.
—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
9 June 2026
The regulation of our environment; the presence of chemicals both intentionally and unwittingly in our food, water, air, and land; the ecological fate of all living creatures, and of the earth itself—all these dilemmas and conundrums find urgent expression in Carson’s work.
—
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilemmas
Noun
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Pyrotechnics set off at home are even more likely to trigger cardiovascular problems, the American Lung Assn.
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Some people have to remove bird feeders during the summer because of problems with bears, raccoons, and other wild animals.
Noun
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Rather than bridging shortfalls, both Seattle and Washington now face more difficult fiscal predicaments, Joblon said.
-
The madman strategy is for not-crazy leaders caught in adverse predicaments.
Noun
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That’s one of the biggest quandaries in projecting this roster.
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The life of a globe-trotting environmentalist is a breeding ground for moral quandaries.
Noun
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Here, instead of the mustard that’s included in many classic potato salad recipes, sour cream, vinegar, and briny pickles team up to lend a lovely amount of tartness to cut through the richness of the potatoes, eggs, and mayo.
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The tartness of capers, lemon juice, and pickles balances the rich flavors.
Cite this Entry
“Dilemmas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilemmas. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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