as in dilemma
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
if you had told the truth in the first place, we wouldn't be in this predicament
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Recent Examples of predicament
During their first interaction, Nekhala explained his Amazon predicament.
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Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
24 June 2026
The town’s predicament highlights the limits of any ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, and the lingering hardship faced by residents whose lives have been upended by years of conflict.
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Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
Less than two decades ago, Uruguay was facing a predicament that would feel familiar to people in many countries today.
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Constance Malleret,
Christian Science Monitor,
21 June 2026
And Prince George, who is third in line to the throne, is apparently in that predicament.
—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for predicament
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
24 June 2026
The town’s predicament highlights the limits of any ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, and the lingering hardship faced by residents whose lives have been upended by years of conflict.
—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
Less than two decades ago, Uruguay was facing a predicament that would feel familiar to people in many countries today.
—
Constance Malleret,
Christian Science Monitor,
21 June 2026
And Prince George, who is third in line to the throne, is apparently in that predicament.
—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
20 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for predicament
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predicament
Noun
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Perhaps every story in which the characters are fundamentally unable to change their lives is subject to this same dilemma.
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Casa Amor, as a concept, is traditionally structured like a prisoner’s dilemma, with neither the main villa nor Casa Islanders aware of what their counterparts are doing while they’re separated.
Noun
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Start with the Single Smash, layered with griddled onions, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and smash sauce, then explore variations from there, including a falafel smash for vegetarians.
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The dog can also be served in a classic Chicago-style, topped with mustard, relish, onion, tomato, celery salt, sport peppers and pickle.
Cite this Entry
“Predicament.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predicament. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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