Scylla

noun

Scyl·​la ˈsi-lə 

: a nymph changed into a monster in Greek mythology who terrorizes mariners in the Strait of Messina

Phrases

between Scylla and Charybdis

: between two equally hazardous alternatives

Did you know?

The Strait of Messina is the narrow passage between the island of Sicily and the "toe" of Italy's "boot". In Greek mythology, two monsters hovered on either side of the strait. Scylla, a female monster with six snake-like heads, each with pointed teeth, barked like a dog from the rocks on the Italian side. Charybdis, on the Sicilian side, caused a whirlpool by swallowing the waters of the sea three times a day. When Odysseus attempted to sail between them, he encountered disaster on both sides. Being caught between Scylla and Charybdis is a lot like being between a rock and a hard place.

Examples of Scylla in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Russia is thus trapped between the Scylla of systemic decay and the Charybdis of systemic stasis. —Alexander J. Motyl, Foreign Affairs, 27 Jan. 2016

The Harford board would stifle a cross-pollination of ideas in the classrooms, disrespecting the intelligence of students, both white and minority, and the wisdom of their teachers who would be able to navigate them between the Scylla of racial divisions and Charybdis of racial politics. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2024

Trump will likely navigate between the Scylla of wanting to stay out of jail and the Charybdis of performing for his base. —Dennis Aftergut, New York Daily News, 10 June 2024

Homer created the sea monsters’ den for Scylla and Charybdis there for a reason. —Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN, 30 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek Skyllē

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above