What Is a Dilemma? Understanding Tough Choices
Learn about the word ‘dilemma’: its meaning, origin, and proper usage. Discover how to correctly describe situations involving difficult choices between alternatives, and avoid common mistakes when using this term.
Imagine you’re offered your dream job, but it’s in a city far from your family and friends. Should you take it or stay put?
Congratulations, you’ve just encountered a dilemma, our word of the day.
Word type: Dilemma is a noun, a thing that presents a challenging situation or difficult choice.
Meaning: A dilemma is a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, especially ones that are equally undesirable.
It’s often described as being caught between a rock and a hard place, where neither option seems particularly appealing.
Word history: The word dilemma comes from the Greek di, meaning two, and lemma, meaning premise or assumption.
It entered the English language in the early sixteenth century, originally referring to an argument forcing an opponent to choose between two unfavorable alternatives.
Synonyms: Some synonyms for dilemma include predicament, quandary, plight, and conundrum. Each of these words describes a difficult situation, but dilemma specifically implies a choice between two options.
Antonyms: Antonyms for dilemma might include solution, answer, or resolution. These words represent the opposite of a problematic situation requiring a difficult choice.
Examples use in sentences: Here are a few examples of how to use dilemma in a sentence: The environmentalist faced a dilemma: support the new factory that would bring jobs to the struggling town, or oppose it due to potential pollution.
Sarah found herself in a dilemma when both her best friend and her sister asked her to be maid of honor at their weddings, scheduled for the same day.
The doctor’s dilemma was whether to tell the patient the full extent of their diagnosis or to withhold some information to maintain hope.
Common errors in use: One common mistake is using dilemma to describe any difficult situation, even when there’s no choice involved.
Remember, a true dilemma always involves a choice between alternatives. Another error is the phrase “on the horns of a dilemma.”
This is often incorrectly stated as “on the horns of a dilemma,” but the correct phrase is “on the horns of a dilemma,” emphasizing the two sharp points of the difficult choice.
Understanding and correctly using the word dilemma can help you express complex situations more precisely, whether in your SAT essay or in everyday conversation.
Next time you’re faced with a tough decision, you’ll know exactly how to describe your predicament. And who knows?
Maybe putting a name to your problem will help you find a solution.
