quandary
Plural: quandaries
Noun
- A state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do.
- a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one
- state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options
- A state of not knowing what to decide; a state of difficulty or perplexity; a state of uncertainty, hesitation or puzzlement.
- A dilemma, a difficult decision or choice.
Examples
- He faced a quandary: play a safe word or risk a challenge for points.
Origin / Etymology
16th century. Origin unknown; perhaps a dialectal corruption (simulating a word of Latin origin with suffix -ary) of wandreth (“evil, plight, peril, adversity, difficulty”), from Middle English wandreth, from Old Norse vandræði (“difficulty, trouble”), from vándr (“difficult, requiring pains and care”).
Synonyms
dilemma, plight, predicament, Catch-22, Morton's fork, Sophie's choice, ass in a sling, bind, bucket of syrup, calvary, cross, cross to bear, difficulty, dire straits, doghouse, fix, hole, jam, kettle of fish, no-win situation, ordeal, perplexity, pickle, pinch, quagmire, quandary, situation, spot, spot of bother, sticky situation, sticky wicket, tight spot, trouble, uncertainty
Scrabble Score: 21
quandary: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Wordquandary: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
quandary: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary