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quandary

noun

/ˈkwɒnd(ə)ri/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of quandary

A state of uncertainty or confusion in which a person is unable to decide what to do.
"She found herself in a quandary when she couldn't decide which job offer to accept."

Detailed meaning of quandary

It is a state of being unsure about the right course of action, and often arises when one is faced with a problem or dilemma. A quandary is often characterized by a sense of perplexity and the need to weigh options before making a decision. It can also be used to refer to a state of doubt or indecision, it describes a state of being in a predicament or a problem with no clear answer.

It is a noun, used as a synonym for predicament, difficulty, dilemma, or difficult choice. It's often used in casual conversation, to describe a state of confusion, perplexity, and uncertainty about what to do or which direction to take.

Example sentences containing quandary

1. The financial quandary they faced required careful budgeting and planning.
2. His ethical quandary about lying to protect his friend troubled him deeply.
3. The team was in a quandary about which strategy to pursue given the changing market conditions.
4. She faced a moral quandary when asked to cover up a colleague's mistake.
5. The professor's difficult question left the students in a quandary during the exam.
6. The unexpected car repair expenses put them in a financial quandary.

History and etymology of quandary

The noun 'quandary' has its etymological roots in the Latin language. It is derived from the Latin phrase 'qua nis i n qu a ndo,' which means 'in what manner, in what way.' Over time, this phrase was shortened to 'quandary' in English, retaining the sense of questioning or uncertainty about how to proceed. A 'quandary' thus refers to a state of perplexity or confusion in which a person is unable to decide what course of action to take. It emphasizes the idea of being caught in a dilemma or predicament, much like pondering 'in what manner' or 'in what way' to navigate a challenging situation.

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Further usage examples of quandary

1. The environmentalist was in a quandary about whether to support the construction project or preserve the natural habitat.
2. The CEO was in a quandary about how to handle the company's declining profits.
3. John's quandary was whether to invest in stocks or bonds for his retirement.
4. The political leader found himself in a quandary regarding the controversial legislation.
5. The chef was in a quandary when he realized he was out of a key ingredient for the recipe.
6. She was in a quandary about whether to reveal the truth or protect her friend's secret.
7. The homeowner faced a quandary when deciding whether to renovate or sell the old house.
8. The team's quandary was how to meet the project deadline without compromising quality.
9. The student's academic quandary stemmed from balancing multiple extracurricular activities with coursework.
10. The detective's quandary was how to solve the case with so few clues to work with.
11. The company's financial quandary forced them to lay off employees to stay afloat.
12. The traveler was in a quandary when her flight got canceled, leaving her stranded at the airport.
13. The inventor's quandary was how to improve the design without increasing production costs.
14. The town council faced a quandary regarding the allocation of limited resources for various community projects.