Background for dilemma
BeDict Logo

dilemma

/daɪˈlɛmə/

Meanings
noun
A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable.

Examples :

"Choosing a summer job presented a dilemma for Sarah. She liked the prospect of working at the bookstore, but the hours were limited. The camp counselor position offered more hours, but she didn't want to be away from home for so long. "
philosophy mind situation moral condition toefl

Related Words

Illustration presented

presented verb

/pɹɪˈzɛntɪd/

To bring (someone) into the presence of (a person); to introduce formally.

"to present an envoy to the king"

Illustration counselor

counselor noun

/ˈkaʊnsələ(ɹ)/

A professional who counsels people, especially on personal problems.

"The school counselor helped Sarah with her problems at home. "

Illustration bookstore

bookstore noun

/ˈbʊkstɔː/

A store where books are bought and sold.

"My daughter loves to visit the bookstore after school. "

Illustration appealing

appealing verb

/əˈpiː.lɪŋ/ /əˈpi.lɪŋ/

To call upon another to decide a question controverted, to corroborate a statement, to vindicate one's rights, etc.

"The student appealed to the teacher to reconsider the failing grade, hoping to vindicate their hard work. "

Illustration alternatives

alternatives noun

/ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪvz/ /ælˈtɜːnətɪvz/

A situation which allows a mutually exclusive choice between two or more possibilities; a choice between two or more possibilities.

"If this store doesn't have the blue shirt I want, what are the alternatives? "

Illustration therefore

therefore adverb

/ˈðɛəfɔː/ /ˈðɛəɹfɔɹ/

For that or this purpose, referring to something previously stated.

"My friend studied hard for the test; therefore, she got a good grade. "

Illustration undesirable

undesirable noun

/ˌʌndɪˈzaɪərəbl/ /ˌʌndɪˈzaɪrəbl/

An undesirable person

"The new student was considered an undesirable in the class because of his disruptive behavior. "

Illustration unfavorable

unfavorable adjective

/ʌnˈfeɪvərəbəl/ /ʌnˈfeɪvərəbl̩/

Serving to hinder or oppose; adverse, disadvantageous, inconducive, unsuitable.

"The weather forecast for the picnic was unfavorable, so we decided to postpone the event. "

Illustration circumstance

circumstance noun

/-æns/ /ˈsɝ.kəm.ˌstæns/

That which attends, or relates to, or in some way affects, a fact or event; an attendant thing or state of things.

"The circumstance of the heavy rain delayed the school bus. "

Illustration syllogism

syllogism noun

/ˈsɪlədʒɪz(ə)m/

An argument whose conclusion is supported by two premises, of which one contains the term that is the predicate of the conclusion, and the other contains the term that is the subject of the conclusion; common to both premises is a term that is excluded from the conclusion.

"The teacher used a classic syllogism: All men are mortal; Socrates is a man; therefore, Socrates is mortal, to explain logical arguments to the class. "

Illustration choosing

choosing verb

/ˈtʃuːzɪŋ/

To pick; to make the choice of; to select.

"I chose a nice ripe apple from the fruit bowl."

Illustration difficult

difficult verb

/ˈdɪfɪkəlt/

To make difficult; to impede; to perplex.

"The complicated instructions on the new software difficult me from completing the project on time. "