Dilemmas


Synonyms for dilemma
noun crisis

predicament
impasse
mess
puzzle
quandary
difficulty
embarrassment

problem
plight
box
bind
fix
strait
spot

scrape
jam
mire
perplexity
corner
hole
pickle

hooker
Catch-22
double bind
tight corner

Antonyms for dilemmas

advantage
success
boon

miracle
good fortune
solution

benefit
wonder

Usage Notes

The word dilemma combines di-, a prefix meaning “two,” with lemma, meaning “a proposition, theme, or subject.” Our world is filled with propositions, themes, and subjects—matters about which we have to make a variety of decisions as we move through life. If we are forced to make a choice between two courses of action, or between doing something and not doing it, and if neither choice is a good one, we are in a dilemma in its primary sense—faced with a double bind, caught between Scylla and Charybdis, trapped between a rock and a hard place, and truly on the horns of a dilemma. As we can see, the sense of dilemma that deals exclusively with two unpleasant alternatives is powerful enough to have engendered a good deal of descriptive language over the years. But in today’s complex environment, if people tell you they are in a dilemma, you cannot be sure that their problem is restricted to two choices. They may be facing a situation of much greater complexity. While the first meaning is still the most common, the broadening of dilemma to include this more general sense of “any difficult or perplexing situation or problem,” is an example of normal language growth. The first meaning of dilemma, involving two choices, remains alive and well. But this broader meaning is not only common and acceptable, it is found in multiple examples of educated writing.

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    Synonyms for dilettantish adj amateurish dilettante inexperienced inexpert nonprofessional unskilled unskillful sciolistic

  • Diligence

    Synonyms for diligence noun perseverance in carrying out action vigor quickness intensity earnestness alertness exertion constancy attentiveness assiduity heedfulness keenness pertinacity industry attention carefulness sedulousness application intent heed activity assiduousness care intentness laboriousness briskness Antonyms for diligence inactivity lethargy idleness laziness indolence disregard ignorance negligence carelessness inattention thoughtlessness indifference neglect

  • Diligent

    Synonyms for diligent adj persevering, hard-working industrious attentive earnest indefatigable persistent assiduous studious painstaking eager conscientious active careful tireless busy constant eager beaver grind laborious occupied operose pertinacious sedulous steadfast unflagging unrelenting untiring persisting plugging Antonyms for diligent idle inactive lazy ignorant inattentive neglectful unconcerned tired weary disinterested unscrupulous indifferent languid lethargic negligent unenthusiastic thoughtless […]

  • Diligently

    Synonyms for diligently adv actively; intently vigorously nimbly eagerly hastily carefully earnestly energetically laboriously briskly industriously seriously speedily strenuously zealously arduously painstakingly enthusiastically restlessly ardently hurriedly purposefully assiduously agilely animatedly expeditiously fervently indefatigably like all get out like the devil like the dickens perseveringly persistently spiritedly studiously unremittingly unweariedly vigilantly vivaciously Antonyms for diligently idly […]


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