1
as in problems
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 predicaments
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
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Recent Examples of dilemmas
But that mood turns out to be a surprisingly strong fit for the performer at the center of director Pete Ohs’ story of personal dilemmas and natural disasters.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026
Since taking office in mid-2022, Marcos has grappled with multiple complex problems and political dilemmas.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Since taking office in mid-2022, Marcos has grappled with multiple complex problems and political dilemmas.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
Perpetrators seem to let those dilemmas slide off, like Teflon.
—Lynn Dewoskin Covarrubias, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026
Every interaction and plot twist in Jury Duty is carefully orchestrated to steer its unwitting star through a series of low-stakes moral dilemmas while hidden cameras capture his reactions.
—Angelina Mazza, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
Such local sites focus on a small group of people who happened to live in a certain place at a certain time—and who, for that fleeting moment, came to stand in for the dilemmas of the nation at large.
—Beverly Gage, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2026
The report eases one of the Fed’s trickiest dilemmas from the past year, when weak job growth put pressure on officials to cut rates even as inflation refused to come down.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
To help resolve these dilemmas, European industry leaders are calling for government support, including subsidies and tax breaks, to level the playing field with Chinese competitors whose products come at unbeatable prices.
—Andy Browne, semafor.com, 31 Mar. 2026
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2026
Since taking office in mid-2022, Marcos has grappled with multiple complex problems and political dilemmas.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Since taking office in mid-2022, Marcos has grappled with multiple complex problems and political dilemmas.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
Perpetrators seem to let those dilemmas slide off, like Teflon.
—Lynn Dewoskin Covarrubias, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026
Every interaction and plot twist in Jury Duty is carefully orchestrated to steer its unwitting star through a series of low-stakes moral dilemmas while hidden cameras capture his reactions.
—Angelina Mazza, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
Such local sites focus on a small group of people who happened to live in a certain place at a certain time—and who, for that fleeting moment, came to stand in for the dilemmas of the nation at large.
—Beverly Gage, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2026
The report eases one of the Fed’s trickiest dilemmas from the past year, when weak job growth put pressure on officials to cut rates even as inflation refused to come down.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
To help resolve these dilemmas, European industry leaders are calling for government support, including subsidies and tax breaks, to level the playing field with Chinese competitors whose products come at unbeatable prices.
—Andy Browne, semafor.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dilemmas
Noun
-
Orlando’s defense caused problems early for Detroit when the Magic forced seven turnovers in the opening four minutes and jumped out to a 19-7 lead.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In severe pain, Connecticut resident Tenaya Taylor sought treatment for dental problems a few years ago.—
Kaitlin McCallum,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The madman strategy is for not-crazy leaders caught in adverse predicaments.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Journeys that used to take entire seasons were being covered in single episodes, characters survived predicaments that once meant surefire death, and previously relevant factors like supplies, infrastructure, and alliances no longer mattered.—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The life of a globe-trotting environmentalist is a breeding ground for moral quandaries.—
Rob Wolfe,
The Atlantic,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Three little people’s romantic quandaries are indeed inextricable from the crazy world.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Its chicken salad scoop options include the Olivia’s Old South (sweet pickles and egg), Jalapeño Holly (with jalapeños), Nutty Nanna (with pecans and cashews), Barbie Q and more.—
Jenna Thompson
April 23,
Kansas City Star,
23 Apr. 2026
-
To begin, there are moreish pickles, warm soda bread, and thin slices of sweet Irish Coolea cheese.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dilemmas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dilemmas. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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