SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
dilemma
noun
A difficult situation requiring a choice between unsatisfactory alternatives.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Difficult choice
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topPredicament is broader; a dilemma specifically involves competing alternatives or obligations.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See dilemma in use
She faced the dilemma of missing either the exam review or her work shift.
The exhibition organizer faced a dilemma: postponing would lose the visiting speaker, while moving to a smaller room would leave several large exhibits without space.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license