dilemma /daɪˈlɛmə/noun 4forms 2phrases 1 noun4 •A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable.A strong dilemma in a desperate case! / To act with infamy, or quit the place. — 1731 •Any difficult circumstance or problem. •A type of syllogism of the form "if A is true then B is true; if C is true then D is true; either A or C is true; therefore either B or D is true". •(rhetoric) Offering to an opponent a choice between two (equally unfavorable) alternatives. formsdilemmas · dilemmata Phrases with dilemma Faustian dilemmaHaving to choose between an option that promises short-term gain with foreseeable adverse long-term consequences, and an alternative option with no short-term gain and possibly even short-term suffering, but promising an eventually better future than the first option.
