A dilemma is a difficult situation in which you have to choose between two or more alternatives.
He was faced with the dilemma of whether or not to return to his country.
The issue raises a moral dilemma.
Synonyms: predicament, problem, difficulty, spot [informal] More Synonyms of dilemma
2. on the horns of a dilemma
dilemma in British English
(dɪˈlɛmə, daɪ-)
noun
1.
a situation necessitating a choice between two equal, esp equally undesirable, alternatives
2.
a problem that seems incapable of a solution
3. logic
a form of argument one of whose premises is the conjunction of two conditional statements and the other of which affirms the disjunction of their antecedents, and whose conclusion is the disjunction of their consequents. Its form is if p then q and if r then s; either p or r so either q or s
4. on the horns of a dilemma
▶ USAGE The use of dilemma to refer to a problem that seems incapable of a solution is considered by some peopleto be incorrect
Derived forms
dilemmatic (ˌdɪlɪˈmætɪk, ˌdaɪlɪ-) or dilemmic (dilˈemmic)
adjective
Word origin
C16: via Latin from Greek, from di-1 + lēmma assumption, proposition, from lambanein to take, grasp
dilemma in American English
(dɪˈlɛmə; also daɪˈlɛmə)
noun
1.
an argument necessitating a choice between equally unfavorable or disagreeable alternatives
2.
any situation in which one must choose between unpleasant alternatives
3.
any serious problem
SIMILAR WORDS: preˈdicament
Derived forms
dilemmatic (ˌdilemˈmatic) (ˌdɪləˈmætɪk)
adjective
Word origin
LL < LGr(Ec) dilēmma < di-, two + lēmma, proposition: see lemma1
More idioms containing
dilemma
on the horns of a dilemma
COBUILD Collocations
dilemma
age-old dilemma
eternal dilemma
ethical dilemma
face a dilemma
moral dilemma
pose a dilemma
present a dilemma
solve a dilemma
terrible dilemma
tricky dilemma
Examples of 'dilemma' in a sentence
dilemma
This has been the moral dilemma of the past.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Moral dilemmas continued to be a theme.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Future parents will have many more ethical dilemmas.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You understand what other people worry about and solve dilemmas for them.
The Sun (2016)
It would pose a critical dilemma for Nato, which is obliged under its founding treaty to go to the aid of any member under attack.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
These are people often working within a complex web of ethical dilemmas.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
England have a big selection dilemma over their quick bowlers.
The Sun (2011)
Such regulations pose an awkward dilemma for those running smaller companies.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
You can solve a dilemma for one of your closest pals.
The Sun (2011)
The moral dilemma the case raises is twofold.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
You solve a dilemma for a pal.
The Sun (2012)
It has been a long road and there were lots of problems and dilemmas on the way.
The Sun (2009)
There are many difficult dilemmas for the modern parent.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Could such information pose as many dilemmas as answers?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This dilemma is also one that troubles those of us who are parents of the mentally disabled.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He is equally wrong that technology has rendered a certain moral dilemma irrelevant.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
You can solve a dilemma for a relative but need to do it tactfully.
The Sun (2014)
The dilemma was more difficult for those who were also shareholders.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
One of my biggest ethical dilemmas came one sunny afternoon on the common near our home.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Deciding who should bear this sacrifice involves serious political and moral dilemmas.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You can solve a dilemma for a relative but need to be tactful with them.
The Sun (2014)
Being in a coalition government produces difficult dilemmas.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
But it does raise the ghost of an ethical dilemma.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There is already that classic coach's selection dilemma.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There are no selection dilemmas for Redknapp.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This is a huge dilemma, and one facing more and more families.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Their main pre-match selection dilemma did not work out badly.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
dilemma
British English: dilemma /dɪˈlɛmə; daɪ-/ NOUN
A dilemma is a difficult situation in which you have to choose between two or more alternatives.
His dilemma is whether or not to return to his home country.
American English: dilemma
Arabic: وَرْطَة
Brazilian Portuguese: dilema
Chinese: 窘境
Croatian: dilema
Czech: dilema
Danish: dilemma
Dutch: dilemma
European Spanish: dilema
Finnish: pulmatilanne
French: dilemme
German: Dilemma
Greek: δίλημμα
Italian: dilemma
Japanese: ジレンマ
Korean: 딜레마
Norwegian: dilemma
Polish: dylemat
European Portuguese: dilema
Romanian: dilemă
Russian: дилемма
Latin American Spanish: dilema
Swedish: dilemma
Thai: สภาวะลำบาก
Turkish: ikilem
Ukrainian: дилема
Vietnamese: tình thế khó xử
All related terms of 'dilemma'
moral dilemma
A dilemma is a difficult situation in which you have to choose between two or more alternatives .
eternal dilemma
A dilemma is a difficult situation in which you have to choose between two or more alternatives .
ethical dilemma
A dilemma is a difficult situation in which you have to choose between two or more alternatives .
tricky dilemma
A dilemma is a difficult situation in which you have to choose between two or more alternatives .
face a dilemma
A dilemma is a difficult situation in which you have to choose between two or more alternatives .
pose a dilemma
A dilemma is a difficult situation in which you have to choose between two or more alternatives .
prisoner's dilemma
in game theory, a situation in which, if each of the individuals involved chooses the most rational option for gaining his or her own ends, the least desirable outcome for all will necessarily result
terrible dilemma
A dilemma is a difficult situation in which you have to choose between two or more alternatives .
age-old dilemma
A dilemma is a difficult situation in which you have to choose between two or more alternatives .
present a dilemma
A dilemma is a difficult situation in which you have to choose between two or more alternatives .
solve a dilemma
A dilemma is a difficult situation in which you have to choose between two or more alternatives .
on the horns of a dilemma
If you are on the horns of a dilemma , you have to choose between two things, both of which are unpleasant or difficult .
to be in a dilemma处(處)在进(進)退两(兩)难(難)的境地 (chǔ zài jìn tuì liǎng nán de jìngdì)
(noun)
Definition
a situation offering a choice between two equally undesirable alternatives
The issue raises a moral dilemma.
Synonyms
predicament
The decision will leave her in a predicament.
problem
the economic problems of the inner city
difficulty
The main difficulty has been getting enough students to try out the scheme.
spot (informal)
In a tight spot there is no one I would sooner see than Frank.
fix (informal)
The government has got itself in a fix.
mess
I've got myself into a bit of a mess.
puzzle
jam (informal)
It could get the government out of a jam.
embarrassment
He is in a state of temporary financial embarrassment.
plight
the plight of Third World countries plagued by debts
strait
pickle (informal)
Connie had got herself into a real pickle this time.
how-do-you-do (informal)
quandary
The anonymous letter creates a quandary for the judge.
perplexity
My chief perplexity was how to interpret the words.
tight corner or spot
idiom
See on the horns of a dilemma
Usage note
The use of dilemma to refer to a problem that seems incapable of solution is considered by some people to be incorrect. To avoid this misuse of the word, an appropriate alternative such as predicament could be used.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of difficulty
Definition
an objection or obstacle
The main difficulty has been getting enough students to try out the scheme.
Synonyms
problem,
trouble,
obstacle,
hurdle,
dilemma,
hazard,
complication,
hassle (informal),
snag,
uphill (South Africa),
predicament,
pitfall,
stumbling block,
impediment,
hindrance,
tribulation,
quandary,
can of worms (informal),
point at issue,
disputed point
in the sense of embarrassment
He is in a state of temporary financial embarrassment.