dilemma
Meanings
Noun
- state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options
- A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable.
- Any difficult circumstance or problem.
- A type of syllogism of the form "if A is true then B is true; if C is true then D is true; either A or C is true; therefore either B or D is true".
- Offering to an opponent a choice between two (equally unfavorable) alternatives.
Origin / Etymology
PIE word
*dwóh₁
First attested 1523, from Late Latin dilemma, from Ancient Greek δίλημμα (dílēmma, “ambiguous proposition”), from δι- (di-, “having two of”) + λῆμμα (lêmma, “premise, proposition”).
Synonyms
ass in a sling, bind, bucket of syrup, calvary, Catch-22, cross, cross to bear, difficulty, dilemma, dire straits, doghouse, fix, hole, jam, kettle of fish, Morton's fork, no-win situation, ordeal, pickle, pinch, plight, predicament, problem, quagmire, quandary, situation, Sophie's choice, spot, spot of bother, sticky situation, sticky wicket, tight spot, trouble
Scrabble Score: 12
dilemma is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL worddilemma is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
dilemma is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary