double bind
noun
: a psychological predicament in which a person receives from a single source conflicting messages that allow no appropriate response to be made
broadly
: dilemma sense 1
Examples of double bind in a Sentence
the double bind faced by every politician: responding to scurrilous charges only gives them unwarranted publicity; not responding to such charges is often interpreted as an admission of guilt
Recent Examples on the Web
Homebuyers now face a double bind: inflated prices and higher monthly payments.
—
Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
After October 7th, the magazine found itself in an agonizing double bind.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2024
Thus, leading to a double bind for Black women athletes such as Reese.
—Lindsey Darvin, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
In this climate, managers are in a double bind, between efficiency mandates and employee expectations.
—Anjali Chaudhry, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for double bind
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Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
After October 7th, the magazine found itself in an agonizing double bind.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2024
Thus, leading to a double bind for Black women athletes such as Reese.
—Lindsey Darvin, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
In this climate, managers are in a double bind, between efficiency mandates and employee expectations.
—Anjali Chaudhry, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for double bind
Cite this Entry
“Double bind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double%20bind. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
double bind
noun
dou·ble bind
ˈdəb-əl-ˈbīnd 
: a psychological predicament in which a person receives from a single source conflicting messages that allow no appropriate response to be made
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