as in dilemma
a situation in which one has to choose between two or more equally unsatisfactory choices
I'm in a quandary about whether I should try to repair my stereo or buy a new one, even though I don't have the money to do either
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Recent Examples of quandary
The abrupt shift in political direction presents a quandary for automakers.
—
Jack Ewing, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
These types of project selection quandaries are reflected in new research, which models the effectiveness of common decision methods such as voting, scoring, and ranking.
—Ronald Klingebiel
lucas Böttcher, Harvard Business Review, 2 Dec. 2024
My biggest quandary is whether to order it as a plate, which comes with small flour tortillas, a plate of creamy refried beans and an all-access pass to the salsa bar, or swaddled in a giant, chewy flour tortilla as a burrito.
—Felicia Campbell, The Arizona Republic, 24 Dec. 2024
After 50+ years exploring the far corners of the world, the director focuses inward — on the human brain, via the cutting-edge field of neuroscience, with its attendant ethical quandaries.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for quandary 
Jack Ewing, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
These types of project selection quandaries are reflected in new research, which models the effectiveness of common decision methods such as voting, scoring, and ranking.
—Ronald Klingebiel
lucas Böttcher, Harvard Business Review, 2 Dec. 2024
My biggest quandary is whether to order it as a plate, which comes with small flour tortillas, a plate of creamy refried beans and an all-access pass to the salsa bar, or swaddled in a giant, chewy flour tortilla as a burrito.
—Felicia Campbell, The Arizona Republic, 24 Dec. 2024
After 50+ years exploring the far corners of the world, the director focuses inward — on the human brain, via the cutting-edge field of neuroscience, with its attendant ethical quandaries.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for quandary
Thesaurus Entries Near quandary
Cite this Entry
“Quandary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quandary. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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