Word Meanings - DILEMMA - Book Publishers vocabulary database

An argument which presents an antagonist with two or more alternatives, but is equally conclusive against him, whichever alternative he chooses. Note: The following are instances of the dilemma. A young rhetorician applied to an old sophist to be

Additional info about word: DILEMMA

An argument which presents an antagonist with two or more alternatives, but is equally conclusive against him, whichever alternative he chooses. Note: The following are instances of the dilemma. A young rhetorician applied to an old sophist to be taught the art of pleading, and bargained for a certain reward to be paid when he should gain a cause. The master sued for his reward, and the scholar endeavored to dilemma. "If I gain my cause, I shall withhold your pay, because the judge's award will be against you; if I lose it, I may withhold it, because I shall not yet have gained a cause." "On the contrary," says the master, "if you gain your cause, you must pay me, because you are to pay me when you gain a cause; if you lose it, you must pay me, because the judge will award it." Johnson. 2. A state of things in which evils or obstacles present themselves on every side, and it is difficult to determine what course to pursue; a vexatious alternative or predicament; a difficult choice or position. A strong dilemma in a desperate case! To act with infamy, or quit the place. Swift. Horns of a dilemma, alternatives, each of which is equally difficult of encountering.

Possible synonyms: (Same meaning words of DILEMMA)

• Quandary
• Hobble
• difficulty
• doubt
• puzzle
• uncertainty
• perplexity
• bewilderment
• dubitation
• baiting
• dilemma
• embarrassment

Possible antonyms: (opposite words of DILEMMA)

• Decide
• determine
• resolve
• assent
• Enlighten
• instruct
• illumine

Related words: (words related to DILEMMA)

• PUZZLEMENT
  The state of being puzzled; perplexity. Miss Mitford.
• PUZZLE
  1. Something which perplexes or embarrasses; especially, a toy or a problem contrived for testing ingenuity; also, something exhibiting marvelous skill in making. 2. The state of being puzzled; perplexity; as, to be in a puzzle.
• ASSENTATORY
  Flattering; obsequious. -- As*sent"a*to*ri*ly, adv.
• DILEMMA
  An argument which presents an antagonist with two or more alternatives, but is equally conclusive against him, whichever alternative he chooses. Note: The following are instances of the dilemma. A young rhetorician applied to an old sophist to be
• PUZZLEDOM
  The domain of puzzles; puzzles, collectively. C. Kingsley.
• INSTRUCTRESS
  A woman who instructs; a preceptress; a governess. Johnson.
• ASSENTER
  One who assents.
• ILLUMINER
  One who, or that which, illuminates.
• DOUBTFULLY
  In a doubtful manner. Nor did the goddess doubtfully declare. Dryden.
• DUBITATION
  Act of doubting; doubt. Sir T. Scott.
• DECIDER
  One who decides.
• DECIDEMENT
  Means of forming a decision. Beau. & Fl.
• UNCERTAINTY
  1. The quality or state of being uncertain. 2. That which is uncertain; something unknown. Our shepherd's case is every man's case that quits a moral certainty for an uncertainty. L'Estrange.
• RESOLVENT
  Having power to resolve; causing solution; solvent.
• QUANDARY
  A state of difficulty or perplexity; doubt; uncertainty. (more info) adversity, perplexity, Icel. wandræedhi difficulty, trouble, fr.
• BAIT
  1. Any substance, esp. food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, inclosure, or net. 2. Anything which allures; a lure; enticement; temptation. Fairfax. 3. A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken
• ASSENTMENT
  Assent; agreement.
• HOBBLEBUSH
  A low bush having long, straggling branches and handsome flowers. It is found in the Northern United States. Called also shinhopple.
• DOUBT
  duten, douten, OF. duter, doter, douter, F. douter, fr. L. dubitare; 1. To waver in opinion or judgment; to be in uncertainty as to belief respecting anything; to hesitate in belief; to be undecided as to the truth of the negative or
• RESOLVED
  Having a fixed purpose; determined; resolute; -- usually placed after its noun; as, a man resolved to be rich. That makes him a resolved enemy. Jer. Taylor. I am resolved she shall not settle here. Fielding.
• PREINSTRUCT
  To instruct previously or beforehand. Dr. H. More.
• REDOUBTABLE
  Formidable; dread; terrible to foes; as, a redoubtable hero;
• REDOUBT
  reductus, literally, a retreat, from L. reductus drawn back, retired, p. p. of reducere to lead or draw back; cf. F. réduit, also fr. LL. A small, and usually a roughly constructed, fort or outwork of varying shape, commonly erected
• PRERESOLVE
  To resolve beforehand; to predetermine. Sir E. Dering.