Quandary: meaning, definitions and examples

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quandary

 

[ หˆkwษ’nd(ษ™)ri ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in decision-making

A state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation.

Synonyms

dilemma, plight, predicament.

Examples of usage

  • I found myself in a quandary over whether to accept the job offer or stay in my current position.
  • She was in a quandary about which university to choose for her studies.
Context #2 | Noun

ethical dilemma

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

Synonyms

difficult choice, ethical dilemma, moral dilemma.

Examples of usage

  • He was faced with a moral quandary when he discovered his colleague was stealing from the company.
  • The politician found himself in a quandary when forced to choose between loyalty and honesty.

Translations

Translations of the word "quandary" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น dilema

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฆเฅเคตเคฟเคงเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Dilemma

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ dilema

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะดะธะปะตะผะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ dylemat

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ธใƒฌใƒณใƒž

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท dilemme

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ dilema

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท ikilem

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋”œ๋ ˆ๋งˆ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุฃุฒู‚

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ dilema

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ dilema

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ›ฐๅขƒ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ dilema

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ vanda

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะธะปั‹ ะถะฐา“ะดะฐะน

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ“แƒ˜แƒšแƒ”แƒ›แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ dilemma

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ dilema

Etymology

The word 'quandary' originated in the late 16th century from the obsolete adjective 'quandary', which meant 'perplexed, troubled'. It is believed to have derived from the Latin word 'quandล' meaning 'when'. Over the years, 'quandary' has come to represent a state of uncertainty or dilemma in decision-making.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,164, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.