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

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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 When that reauthorization is delayed, Abelard faces a dilemma: continue seeing clients knowing insurers may not pay for those services or leave clients without care until the reauthorization comes through. Aneri Pattani, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025 That led the kid to launch the classic car out a glass window, a dilemma even his best pal Ferris (Broderick) is hard pressed to fix. Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 7 May 2025 In May, Lee, 68, is heading to France to premiere Highest 2 Lowest at the Cannes Film Festival beside his longtime collaborator Denzel Washington, who plays a music mogul confronted with the dilemma of — well — how to do the right thing. Rebecca Keegan, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2025 This creates a dilemma for those who value honesty but also need to rely on trust to maintain strong relationships with clients and colleagues. Martin Reimann, The Conversation, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for dilemma
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilemma
Noun
  • As studies begin to find connections between exposure to plastic and medical problems, doctors and scientists are increasingly concerned.
    Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • Lesser symptoms, which often clear over a few days, can include: — Muscle soreness. — Headache, nausea, stomach upset and other post-concussion types of symptoms. — Mild confusion, memory slowness or mental clouding. — Dizziness, balance problems.
    Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Fey lays out a number of ways to deal with this predicament.
    Belinda Luscombe, Time, 9 May 2025
  • So their only way out of this predicament is also the hardest — trading the star who elevated the team for a decade.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
Noun
  • Intellectual Mercury zooms into the same part of your chart two days later, giving you even more mental energy to devote to these quandaries.
    Nina Kahn, StyleCaster, 24 Feb. 2025
  • In McWilliams’s and McLagan’s view, offal provides a real way to combat the moral quandary of meat eating.
    Valerie Trapp, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The salt, fat and juice smother the pickles and mustard, snuffing out the vinegar and tang.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
  • At one point during the game, Ottawa had packets of mustard and pickle juice on the bench, according to rinkside reporter Kelly Greig.
    Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 12 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dilemma.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilemma. Accessed 18 May. 2025.

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