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dilemma

noun

/dɪˈlɛmə/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of dilemma

A situation in which a choice has to be made between two or more options, all of which have significant drawbacks or negative consequences.
"The dilemma was whether to obey the law or follow one's conscience."

Detailed meaning of dilemma

It is a situation in which someone has to make a difficult decision, and all possible options have negative aspects. A dilemma can be moral, ethical, or practical, and it can involve a choice between two or more conflicting options. For example, a moral dilemma may involve choosing between two actions, both of which have negative consequences, such as lying to protect someone's feelings or telling the truth and risking hurting them. Ethical dilemmas involve a choice between two options, both of which may be morally right or wrong. A practical dilemma, on the other hand, is a situation in which a choice must be made between two or more options, all of which have negative consequences. In general, a dilemma is a situation in which a choice has to be made between two or more options, all of which have significant drawbacks or negative consequences, it is a situation in which someone has to make a difficult decision and all possible options have negative aspects, and it can be moral, ethical, or practical.

Example sentences containing dilemma

1. She found herself in a moral dilemma, torn between honesty and protecting her friend.
2. The team faced a dilemma when they had to choose between two equally promising strategies.
3. He was caught in a dilemma, unsure whether to follow his heart or his head.
4. The company encountered a financial dilemma, needing to cut costs without compromising quality.
5. The politician faced a political dilemma, trying to please both sides of a contentious issue.
6. Sarah was in a dilemma, having to decide between two job offers with different benefits.

History and etymology of dilemma

The noun 'dilemma' has an intriguing etymological history, rooted in both Greek and Latin. It comes from the Greek word 'dilemma,' which combines 'di-' (meaning 'two') and 'lemma' (meaning 'premise' or 'assumption'). This term was translated into Latin as 'dilemma,' preserving the concept of a situation involving two conflicting premises or choices. In essence, a dilemma is a situation where one must choose between two or more options, each of which presents its own set of challenges or drawbacks. The etymology of 'dilemma' thus emphasizes the inherent complexity and conflict within such situations, where one is often confronted with the difficulty of making a choice among undesirable alternatives.

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Further usage examples of dilemma

1. The protagonist in the novel faced a moral dilemma, forced to choose between loyalty and justice.
2. The dilemma of whether to speak up or stay silent weighed heavily on her conscience.
3. The team leader was confronted with a difficult dilemma, having to choose between two exceptional candidates.
4. The teacher was caught in a dilemma when two students asked for an extension on the same deadline.
5. The ethical dilemma posed a challenge to the doctor's professional integrity.
6. The dilemma of choosing between family and career haunted her for years.
7. The dilemma of limited resources required the organization to make tough decisions.
8. The character in the movie was faced with a life-and-death dilemma.
9. The committee members found themselves in a budgetary dilemma, trying to allocate funds to multiple projects.
10. The students were in a dilemma, torn between attending a sports event or studying for an upcoming exam.
11. The moral dilemma presented in the play left the audience questioning their own values.
12. The company's CEO faced a dilemma when deciding whether to prioritize short-term profits or long-term sustainability.
13. The couple encountered a dilemma when they had to choose between buying a house or traveling the world.
14. The protagonist's dilemma added an intriguing layer of complexity to the story.