Dilemma: meaning, definitions and examples

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dilemma

[dɪˈlɛmə ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

ethical

A situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, especially equally undesirable ones.

Synonyms

conundrum, predicament, quandary.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dilemma	Used when facing a situation requiring a choice between equally undesirable alternatives. It's often used in moral or ethical contexts. She faced a moral dilemma about whether to lie to protect her friend. He was in a dilemma over whether to accept the job offer or stay with his current employer.
predicament	Refers to an unpleasant or difficult situation that someone is in. It's often about being stuck in a tough spot without an easy way out. She was in a financial predicament after losing her job. They found themselves in a serious predicament with no way to call for help.
quandary	Describes a state of uncertainty or perplexity over what to do in a particular situation. It highlights the difficulty in making a decision. He was in a quandary about whether to tell the truth or protect his friend. The politicians were in a quandary over how to address the crisis.
conundrum	Applied when talking about a complex or confusing problem or question that is difficult to solve. It often implies a puzzle or something that is difficult to understand. The missing puzzle piece was a real conundrum. The company faces the conundrum of how to reduce costs without cutting crucial staff.

Examples of usage

Jane found herself in a dilemma when she had to choose between saving her job or standing up for her principles.
Facing a moral dilemma, Tom struggled to decide whether to tell the truth and risk losing his friend's trust, or to keep quiet and betray his own values.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

philosophical

A situation in which a choice has to be made between two or more options that seem equally desirable.

Synonyms

predicament, predilection, quandary.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dilemma	A situation where a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, often equally undesirable. She faced a dilemma about whether to go back to work after having a baby. He found himself in a moral dilemma, torn between telling the truth and protecting his friend.
quandary	A state of uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation, slightly less serious than a dilemma. I'm in a quandary about whether to sell the house now or wait until the market improves. The unexpected guest put her in a quandary about where to seat everyone.
predicament	A difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation. After losing his job, he was in a real predicament. She understood the predicament they were in but couldn’t offer much help.
predilection	A preference or special liking for something; a bias in favor of something. It typically has a positive or neutral connotation. He has a predilection for classical music. Her predilection for sweets often led her to the dessert section first.

Examples of usage

His dilemma was whether to accept the well-paid job offer or follow his passion for art.
The character in the story was confronted with a dilemma: to betray his family for wealth or remain loyal and poor.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term comes from the Greek word 'dilemma' which means 'double proposition'.
It was first used in English in the early 17th century to describe a situation with two bad choices.
The word combines 'di' (two) and 'lemma' (premise) suggesting a choice involving two sides or premises.

Philosophy

Philosophers often use dilemmas to explore moral problems, notably in ethics, where choices may impact right and wrong.
The 'trolley problem' is a famous philosophical dilemma involving choices that force one to weigh the value of lives.
Dilemmas help illustrate complex moral issues that can't be solved easily with a simple answer.

Literature

Dilemmas are common plot devices in novels, forcing characters to make tough decisions that reveal their true nature.
Shakespeare’s characters often face dilemmas that highlight themes of loyalty and betrayal.
In modern literature, dilemmas can drive the narrative forward and engage the reader's emotions.

Psychology

Encountering dilemmas activates areas of the brain associated with decision-making and emotional processing.
People often experience heightened stress or anxiety when faced with a dilemma, as it involves weighing consequences.
Dilemma-based scenarios are often used in psychological studies to understand human behavior and choice.

Cultural References

In pop culture, movies often use dilemmas to create tension and engage the audience, like choosing between love or duty.
Dilemmatic choices are a hallmark of many video games, where players must select between conflicting options.
Dilemmas are used in advertisements to evoke emotions, prompting viewers to empathize with characters in tough situations.

Translations

Translations of the word "dilemma" in other languages:

🇵🇹 dilema

🇮🇳 दुविधा

🇩🇪 Dilemma

🇮🇩 dilema

🇺🇦 дилема

🇵🇱 dylemat

🇯🇵 ジレンマ

🇫🇷 dilemme

🇪🇸 dilema

🇹🇷 ikilem

🇰🇷 딜레마

🇸🇦 مأزق

🇨🇿 dilema

🇸🇰 dilema

🇨🇳 两难

🇸🇮 dilema

🇮🇸 valkost

🇰🇿 дағдарыс

🇬🇪 დილემა

🇦🇿 dilemma

🇲🇽 dilema

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,213 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
7210 uttered
7211 negotiating
7212 recollection
7213 dilemma
7214 recourse
7215 commercially
7216 chlorine
...