If you are in a predicament, you are in an unpleasant situation that is difficult to get out of.
Hank explained our predicament.
The decision will leave her in a peculiar predicament.
Synonyms: fix [informal], state, situation, spot [informal] More Synonyms of predicament
predicament in British English
(prɪˈdɪkəmənt)
noun
1.
a perplexing, embarrassing, or difficult situation
2. (ˈprɛdɪkəmənt) logic obsolete
one of Aristotle's ten categories of being
3. archaic
a specific condition, circumstance, state, position, etc
Word origin
C14: from Late Latin praedicāmentum what is predicated, from praedicāre to announce, assert; see predicate
predicament in American English
(priˈdɪkəmənt; prɪˈdɪkəmənt)
noun
1.
a condition or situation, now specif. one that is difficult, unpleasant, embarrassing,or, sometimes, comical
2. Archaic
category (sense 2)
SYNONYMY NOTE: predicament implies a complicated, perplexing situation from which it is difficult to disentangleoneself; , dilemma implies a predicament necessitating a choice between equally disagreeable alternatives;, quandary emphasizes a state of great perplexity and uncertainty; , plight1 emphasizes a distressing or unfortunate situation; , fix, pickle are both colloquial terms loosely interchangeable with any of the preceding, althoughmore precisely , fix is equivalent to , predicament, pickle, to , plight1
Word origin
ME < LL(Ec) praedicamentum < L praedicare: see preach
Examples of 'predicament' in a sentence
predicament
She was startled to realize that she was not surprised by the predicament in which she found herself.
Duncan, Robert L THE SERPENT'S MARK
Her mummified presence and occasional comments served merely to make him more aware of his predicament, while resolving nothing.
Aldiss, Brian SOMEWHERE EAST OF LIFE
Despite his own precarious position, he was still enjoying my predicament.
Reeves, Robert DOUBTING THOMAS
Derec wanted to keep them busy, not occupied with thinking about their predicament.
various
In other languages
predicament
British English: predicament NOUN
If you are in a predicament, you are in an unpleasant situation that is difficult to get out of.
He explained our predicament.
American English: predicament
Brazilian Portuguese: apuro
Chinese: 困境
European Spanish: apuro
French: situation difficile
German: Dilemma
Italian: situazione difficile
Japanese: 苦境
Korean: 곤경
European Portuguese: apuro
Latin American Spanish: apuro
Chinese translation of 'predicament'
predicament
(prɪˈdɪkəmənt)
n(c)
困境 (kùnjìng)
to be in a predicament处(處)于(於)困境之中 (chǔyú kùnjìng zhī zhōng)
(noun)
Definition
an embarrassing or difficult situation
The decision will leave her in a predicament.
Synonyms
fix (informal)
The government has got itself in a fix.
state
You shouldn't be lifting heavy things in your state.
situation
We are in a difficult financial situation.
spot (informal)
In a tight spot there is no one I would sooner see than Frank.
corner
He appears to have got himself into a tight corner.
hole (slang)
He admitted that the government was in `a dreadful hole'.
emergency
He has the ability to deal with emergencies quickly.
mess
I've got myself into a bit of a mess.
jam (informal)
It could get the government out of a jam.
dilemma
The issue raises a moral dilemma.
pinch
I'd trust her in a pinch.
plight
the plight of Third World countries plagued by debts
scrape (informal)
We got into terrible scrapes.
hot water (informal)
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.
tight spot
Additional synonyms
in the sense of corner
He appears to have got himself into a tight corner.
Synonyms
tight spot,
predicament,
tricky situation,
spot (informal),
hole (informal),
hot water (informal),
pickle (informal)
in the sense of dilemma
Definition
a situation offering a choice between two equally undesirable alternatives
The issue raises a moral dilemma.
Synonyms
predicament,
problem,
difficulty,
spot (informal),
fix (informal),
mess,
puzzle,
jam (informal),
embarrassment,
plight,
strait,
pickle (informal),
how-do-you-do (informal),
quandary,
perplexity,
tight corner or spot
in the sense of emergency
Definition
an unforeseen or sudden occurrence, esp. of danger demanding immediate action
He has the ability to deal with emergencies quickly.
Synonyms
crisis,
danger,
difficulty,
accident,
disaster,
necessity,
pinch,
plight,
scrape (informal),
strait,
catastrophe,
predicament,
calamity,
extremity,
quandary,
exigency,
critical situation,
urgent situation,
MergNC
Synonyms of 'predicament'
predicament
Explore 'predicament' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of hole
He admitted that the government was in `a dreadful hole'.
Synonyms
predicament,
spot (informal),
fix (informal),
mess,
jam (informal),
dilemma,
scrape (informal),
tangle,
hot water (informal),
quandary,
tight spot,
imbroglio
in the sense of jam
Definition
a difficult situation
It could get the government out of a jam.
Synonyms
predicament,
tight spot,
scrape (informal),
corner,
state,
situation,
trouble,
spot (informal),
hole (slang),
fix (informal),
bind,
emergency,
mess,
dilemma,
pinch,
plight,
strait,
hot water,
pickle (informal),
deep water,
quandary
in the sense of mess
Definition
a confused and difficult situation
I've got myself into a bit of a mess.
Synonyms
difficulty,
dilemma,
plight,
spot (informal),
hole (informal),
fix (informal),
jam (informal),
hot water (informal),
stew (informal),
mix-up,
muddle,
pickle (informal),
uphill (South Africa),
predicament,
deep water,
perplexity,
tight spot,
imbroglio,
fine kettle of fish (informal)
in the sense of pickle
Definition
an awkward or difficult situation
Connie had got herself into a real pickle this time.
Synonyms
predicament,
spot (informal),
fix (informal),
difficulty,
bind (informal),
jam (informal),
dilemma,
scrape (informal),
hot water (informal),
uphill (South Africa),
quandary,
tight spot
in the sense of pinch
Definition
extreme stress or need
I'd trust her in a pinch.
Synonyms
emergency,
crisis,
difficulty,
plight,
scrape (informal),
strait,
uphill (South Africa),
predicament,
extremity,
necessity,
hardship,
oppression,
exigency
in the sense of plight
Definition
a dangerous or difficult situation
the plight of Third World countries plagued by debts
Synonyms
difficulty,
condition,
state,
situation,
trouble,
circumstances,
dilemma,
straits,
predicament,
extremity,
perplexity
in the sense of quandary
Definition
a situation in which it is difficult to decide what to do
The anonymous letter creates a quandary for the judge.
Synonyms
difficulty,
dilemma,
predicament,
puzzle,
uncertainty,
embarrassment,
plight,
strait,
impasse,
bewilderment,
perplexity,
delicate situation,
cleft stick
in the sense of scrape
Definition
an awkward or embarrassing situation
We got into terrible scrapes.
Synonyms
predicament,
trouble,
difficulty,
spot (informal),
fix (informal),
mess,
distress,
dilemma,
plight,
tight spot,
awkward situation,
pretty pickle (informal)
in the sense of situation
Definition
state of affairs
We are in a difficult financial situation.
Synonyms
position,
state,
case,
condition,
circumstances,
equation,
plight,
status quo,
state of affairs,
ball game (informal),
kettle of fish (informal)
in the sense of spot
Definition
an awkward situation
In a tight spot there is no one I would sooner see than Frank.
Synonyms
predicament,
trouble,
difficulty,
mess,
plight,
hot water (informal),
quandary,
tight spot
Additional synonyms
in the sense of state
Definition
the condition or circumstances of a person or thing
You shouldn't be lifting heavy things in your state.