Search Result for "quandary": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (2)

1. a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one;
- Example: "finds himself in a most awkward predicament"
- Example: "the woeful plight of homeless people"
[syn: predicament, quandary, plight]

2. state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options;
[syn: dilemma, quandary]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Quandary \Quan"da*ry\, n.; pl. Quandaries. [Prob. fr. OE. wandreth adversity, perplexity, Icel. wandr[ae][eth]i difficulty, trouble, fr. vandr difficult.] A state of difficulty or perplexity; doubt; uncertainty. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Quandary \Quan"da*ry\, v. t. To bring into a state of uncertainty, perplexity, or difficulty. [Obs.] --Otway. [1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

quandary n 1: a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one; "finds himself in a most awkward predicament"; "the woeful plight of homeless people" [syn: predicament, quandary, plight] 2: state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options [syn: dilemma, quandary]
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

47 Moby Thesaurus words for "quandary": Gordian knot, baffle, bafflement, bewilderment, bother, confoundment, confusion, crux, difficulty, dilemma, discomposure, disconcert, disconcertedness, disconcertion, disconcertment, disturbance, embarrassment, enigma, fix, jam, knot, knotty point, mystery, node, nodus, nonplus, oxymoron, paradox, perplexity, perturbation, pickle, plight, pons asinorum, poser, pother, predicament, problem, puzzle, puzzlement, riddle, scrape, stew, teaser, unassuredness, uncertainty, upset, vexed question