dilemma

UK /daɪˈlɛmə/ US /daɪˈlɛmə/

noun 4

Definitions

noun

A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable.

A strong dilemma in a desperate case! / To act with infamy, or quit the place.

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.

Collocations

(noun.)

ADJ

acute, appalling, big, difficult, genuine, great, impossible, real, serious, terrible, thorny

central, essential, fundamental

The central dilemma is whether to prioritize work or spend more time with family.

familiar, perennial

human

personal

ethical, moral

policy, political

VERB + DILEMMA

create, pose

The new policy creates a real dilemma for many working parents.

be caught in, be faced with, confront, face, have

Sarah faced a difficult dilemma when she had to choose between accepting the job offer or staying close to her family.

resolve, solve

We finally solved the dilemma by asking our parents for their advice.

DILEMMA + VERB

arise, occur, present itself

A difficult dilemma arose when Sarah had to choose between accepting a job in another city or staying near her family.

lie

The real dilemma lies in choosing between staying in a secure job or pursuing your dreams.

confront sb, face sb

The parents faced a difficult dilemma when deciding whether to move abroad for work.

remain

PREP

in a/the ~

She found herself in a difficult dilemma when both job offers arrived on the same day.

~ about/over

He was in a real dilemma over which job to choose between the two offers.

~ between

She faced a difficult dilemma between accepting the job offer or staying close to her aging parents.

PHRASES

a solution to a dilemma, a way out of a dilemma

Finding a solution to her dilemma took several weeks of careful thought.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

noun — state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a

quandary

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

on the horns of a dilemma

Facing a choice between two equally undesirable alternatives.

To admit of the abſolute foreknovvledge of God, and yet to deny his predeſtination, even in its fulleſt extent, is a palpable abſurdity. The diſputant ſticks faſt on the horns of a

Faustian dilemma

Having to choose between an option that promises short-term gain with foreseeable adverse long-term consequences, and an alternative option with no short-term gain and possibly even short-term suffering, but promising an eventually better f

I find that many people see sustainability as a version of a Faustian dilemma; they often knowingly make choices that have immediate personal benefits, but in the long run are disa

Example Bank

A strong dilemma in a desperate case! / To act with infamy, or quit the place.

Wiktionary

I am in a terrible dilemma.

Tatoeba · #55709

Never in his life had he encountered such a dilemma.

Tatoeba · #289979

Tom faces a dilemma.

Tatoeba · #1094146

This is the dilemma.

Tatoeba · #1297653

When you are caught on the horns of a dilemma, think of the frescoes of Knossos.

Tatoeba · #2027759

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