di·lem·ma (d -l m  )n. 1. A situation that requires a choice between options that are or seem equally unfavorable or mutually exclusive. 2. Usage Problem A problem that seems to defy a satisfactory solution. 3. Logic An argument that presents two alternatives, each of which has the same consequence. [Late Latin, from Greek dil  mma, ambiguous proposition : di-, two; see di-1 + lmma, proposition; see lemma1.]dil  em·matic (dl-m tk) adj.Usage Note: A dilemma is a situation in which a choice must be made between alternative courses of action or argument. Although citational evidence attests to widespread use of the term meaning simply "problem" or "predicament" and involving no issue of choice, 58 percent of the Usage Panel in our 1999 survey rejected the sentence Historically, race has been the great dilemma of democracy. · It is sometimes claimed that because the di- in dilemma comes from a Greek prefix meaning "two," the word should be used only when exactly two choices are involved. Nevertheless, 64 percent of the Usage Panel in our 1988 survey accepted its use for choices among three or more options. |
dilemma [dɪˈlɛmə daɪ-]
n
1. a situation necessitating a choice between two equal, esp equally undesirable, alternatives
2. a problem that seems incapable of a solution
3. (Philosophy / Logic) 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
on the horns of a dilemma
a. faced with the choice between two equally unpalatable alternatives
b. in an awkward situation
[via Latin from Greek, from di-1 + lēmma assumption, proposition, from lambanein to take, grasp]
dilemmatic [ˌdɪlɪˈmætɪk ˌdaɪlɪ-], dilemmic adj
Usage: The use of dilemma to refer to a problem that seems incapable of a solution is considered by some people to be incorrect
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  dilemma - state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable optionsperplexity - trouble or confusion resulting from complexity double bind - (psychology) an unresolvable dilemma; situation in which a person receives contradictory messages from a person who is very powerful |
dilemma
noun 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 The issue raises a moral dilemma.
on the horns of a dilemma between the devil and the deep blue sea, between a rock and a hard place (informal), between Scylla and Charybdis I found myself on the horns of a dilemma - whatever I did, it would be wrong.
Usage: The use of dilemma to refer to a problem that seems incapable of a 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.
Translations
dilemma [dɪˈlɛmə daɪˈlɛmə] n → dilemme m
to be in a dilemma → être pris(e) dans un dilemme
to raise a dilemma → soulever un dilemme
to be in a dilemma → être pris(e) dans un dilemme
to raise a dilemma → soulever un dilemme
dilemma
dilemma [daɪˈlɛmə] n → dilemma m
to be in a dilemma → essere di fronte a un dilemma
dilemma [daɪˈlɛmə] n → dilemma m
to be in a dilemma → essere di fronte a un dilemma
to be in a dilemma → essere di fronte a un dilemma
dilemma [daɪˈlɛmə] n → dilemma m
to be in a dilemma → essere di fronte a un dilemma
n dilemma [diˈlemə, ˈdailemə]
a position or situation giving two choices, neither pleasant His dilemma was whether to leave the party early so as to get a lift in his friend's car, or to stay and walk eight kilometres home. dilemma, verknorsing وَرْطَه، مَأْزِق дилема dilema dilemma das Dilemma δίλημμα dilema dilemma تنگنا؛ دو راهی ناخوشایند dilemma dilemme דִילֶמָה दुविधा dilema, škripac dilemma dilema ógöngur, valþröng dilemma ジレンマ 딜레마 dilema dilemma dilema dilemma dilemma, vanskelig valg, knipe dylemat dilema dilemă дилемма dilema zadrega dilema dilemma ภาวะวิกฤติ ikilem, çıkmaz 困境，進退兩難 дилема عاجز کرنے والی صورت tình trạng khó xử 困境，进退两难
dilemma → معضلة dilema dilemma Dilemma δίλημμα dilema pulmatilanne dilemme dilema dilemma ジレンマ 딜레마 dilemma dilemma dylemat dilema дилемма dilemma สภาวะลำบาก ikilem tình thế khó xử 窘境
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