quandary

noun

quan·​da·​ry ˈkwän-d(ə-)rē How to pronounce quandary (audio)
plural quandaries
: a state of perplexity or doubt

Examples of quandary in a Sentence

Williams's quandary is not unlike that faced by other urban executives who have had to wrestle with a deeply rooted power structure. The problem is especially acute for African American mayors. They are expected to serve as sentries, protecting their cities' black communities and staving off so-called white encroachment. Jonetta Rose Barras, Washington Post, 15 June 2003
For a sticky philosophical quandary, the questions are pretty simple: am I a clerk charged with selling college degrees or am I involved in a more meaningful experience? Part of me says that no argument is more worthy of my attention. Lynne Drury Lerych, Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2001
… the inevitable economic quandary that faces a people in the transition from slavery to freedom, and especially those who make that change amid hate and prejudice, lawlessness and ruthless competition. W. E. B. Du Bois, The Souls of Black Folk, 1903
The unexpected results of the test have created a quandary for researchers. I'm in a quandary about whether I should try to repair my stereo or buy a new one, even though I don't have the money to do either.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Indeed, Peter’s graduation to the field is filled with physical threats as well as ethical quandaries that muddy his black-and-white decisionmaking from his last adventure. Jake Kring-Schreifels, TIME, 30 Jan. 2025 Many of the show’s characters face quandaries that ultimately lead to growth. Joan MacDonald, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025 The abrupt shift in political direction presents a quandary for automakers. Jack Ewing, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025 These types of project selection quandaries are reflected in new research, which models the effectiveness of common decision methods such as voting, scoring, and ranking. Ronald Klingebiel lucas Böttcher, Harvard Business Review, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for quandary 

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of quandary was in 1579

Dictionary Entries Near quandary

Cite this Entry

“Quandary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quandary. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

quandary

noun
quan·​da·​ry ˈkwän-d(ə-)rē How to pronounce quandary (audio)
plural quandaries
: a state of confusion or doubt : dilemma
in a quandary about which to choose

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