Dilemma
A situation in which a difficult choice must be made between two or more alternatives, each with undesirable or conflicting outcomes.
nounDilemma
A situation in which a difficult choice must be made between two or more alternatives, each with undesirable or conflicting outcomes.
nounImagine This
Imagine standing at a fork where two doors block your path: door A leads to a better future but costs something you value, while door B leads to safety but compromises a principle you hold. You must choose, knowing neither option is perfect.
Sounds Like
dih-LEM-uh
Looks Like
A crossroads with two unappealing options or two doors at a fork in the road.
Remember This
The word comes from Greek di- meaning 'two' and lemma meaning 'premise' or 'proposition', describing a choice between two premises. It is commonly used in ethics, law, and everyday decision making.
Other Forms
Connect With
predicament, quandary, impasse, conundrum, moral dilemma
Note
Be careful not to confuse 'dilemma' with a generic 'difficult decision'; a dilemma specifically involves choosing between two or more problematic alternatives. Use phrases like 'a dilemma between X and Y' or 'a moral dilemma'.