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
Southeast Asia is in a predicament: its ally China is ramping up its advances in the South China Sea, with state-of-the-art Chinese bomber planes.
—
Abby Ryanto, CNBC, 16 June 2025
Any cityhood vote would be several years away — the association is shooting for 2028 — and the city’s predicament could dramatically change by then, for better or worse.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2025
Christopher Boyle of New York County Defender Services and one of Bernier’s lawyers said anecdotally there are many others on Rikers Island in a similar predicament.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025
Rodriguez discussed Rose's predicament in an interview on New York City's WFAN radio last week, and made a startling claim about baseball's all-time hits leader.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for predicament
Abby Ryanto, CNBC, 16 June 2025
Any cityhood vote would be several years away — the association is shooting for 2028 — and the city’s predicament could dramatically change by then, for better or worse.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2025
Christopher Boyle of New York County Defender Services and one of Bernier’s lawyers said anecdotally there are many others on Rikers Island in a similar predicament.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025
Rodriguez discussed Rose's predicament in an interview on New York City's WFAN radio last week, and made a startling claim about baseball's all-time hits leader.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for predicament
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predicament
Noun
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The dilemma about his son provides the bare minimum of drama to chew on, allowing Dexter’s focus to shift toward playful topics like his new cold-blooded buddies and the peculiar nature of his new playground, New York City.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
10 July 2025
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This case involving the MyPillow lawyers is just a microcosm of the growing dilemma of how courts and lawyers can strike the balance between welcoming life-changing technology and using it responsibly in court.—
Jaclyn Diaz,
NPR,
10 July 2025
Noun
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The vinegar used to quick pickle the onions also adds a vinegary pungency to the salad, and dill and basil work together to add fresh and herbaceous notes.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
11 July 2025
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Some foods and drinks high in electrolytes include watermelon, coconut water, leafy green vegetables, bone broth, pickles, and more.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Predicament.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predicament. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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