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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dilemma
The frustrated bride shared her story on Reddit, detailing her dilemma in a March 22 post on a forum dedicated to wedding planning — and asking for any advice about how to proceed.
—
Bailey Richards, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025
The ethical dilemma of how a journalist like Goldberg should have responded to the accidental invitation to the chat was another focal point.
—Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 27 Mar. 2025
Once the mega-wealthy pharmaceutical CEO who owns the preserve discovers the unicorn’s medicinal properties, Elliot and Ridley find themselves in an ethical dilemma to reunite the unicorn with their kind or suffer the consequences.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 26 Mar. 2025
When their team leader Patrick, starts grooming Sille, Rie finds herself in a serious dilemma with a fatal outcome.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dilemma
Bailey Richards, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025
The ethical dilemma of how a journalist like Goldberg should have responded to the accidental invitation to the chat was another focal point.
—Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 27 Mar. 2025
Once the mega-wealthy pharmaceutical CEO who owns the preserve discovers the unicorn’s medicinal properties, Elliot and Ridley find themselves in an ethical dilemma to reunite the unicorn with their kind or suffer the consequences.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 26 Mar. 2025
When their team leader Patrick, starts grooming Sille, Rie finds herself in a serious dilemma with a fatal outcome.
—Annika Pham, Variety, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dilemma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilemma
Noun
-
Another problem: The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to hear its challenge of a rule that prevents a president from firing independent agency board members without cause.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Irving with Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively, Daniel Gafford along with Klay Thompson and P.J. Washington - that’s a team that would have been a problem.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
California and other states have spent much of the past decade trying to get out of this predicament by undoing single-family zoning laws and streamlining permitting for apartments, backyard cottages and other higher-density housing.—
Conor Dougherty,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Why Canned Wine? Archer Roose Wines, co-owned by chief creative officer and actress Elizabeth Banks and CEO Marian Leitner-Waldman, started with this predicament in mind.—
Bryce Jones,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Santos and Collins deal with their own moral and legal quandaries.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Black Mirror evokes anthology series like The Twilight Zone and Amazing Stories with speculative, offbeat tales that draw upon sci-fi, thriller, and horror tropes to satirize culture and interrogate moral and ethical quandaries.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The deal on the burgers – each comes with American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, pickles, Smash Sauce, and ketchup on a toasted bun – is good in stores, online and through the Smashburger app.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
-
According to our readers, classics like the Chicken Sandwich Meal (extra pickles, please) and seasonal treats like the Peach Milkshake are always worth stopping for.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dilemma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilemma. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share