Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
quandary [kwon-duh-ree, -dree] SynonymsExamplesWord Origin See more synonyms for quandary on Thesaurus.com noun, plural quan·da·ries.
- a state of perplexity or uncertainty, especially as to what to do; dilemma.
Origin of quandary 1570–80; perhaps fancifully Latin quand(ō) when + -āre infinitive suffixSynonyms for quandary See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comSee predicament. Related Words for quandary predicament, dilemma, embarrassment, puzzle, uncertainty, impasse, difficulty, plight, bewilderment, clutch, strait, spot, doubt, hang-up, bind, perplexity, corner, pickle, mire, catch-22 Examples from the Web for quandary Contemporary Examples of quandary
The quandary of whether to freeze eggs or not could become irrelevant overnight.
Men Will Someday Have Kids Without Women
Samantha Allen
January 3, 2015
A teary Osbourne said she now thought “WWJD—what would Joan do” when faced with a quandary.
Melissa Rivers: Life After Joan—A Funny, Moving Celebration on a Special ‘Fashion Police’
Tim Teeman
September 20, 2014
As I noted in November, this legislation presented a quandary for Christie.
‘Bridgegate’ Won’t Be the End of Christie 2016, but the DREAM Act Could Be
Dean Obeidallah
January 8, 2014
Until Washington embraces a more grassroots approach, Egypt is unlikely to emerge from its quandary.
Barak Barfi
July 23, 2013
The quandary that Bush then faced in secret is visible now to the whole world, and only becoming harder to solve.
What Can We Do About North Korea?
David Frum
April 5, 2013
Historical Examples of quandary
It was his mate who relieved him from the quandary in which he found himself.
Jack London
The less he teaches and insists on facts and details, the greater his quandary.
Paul Klapper
As a matter of fact, he told himself, he was in something of a quandary.
Gordon Randall Garrett
Had she said the Pritchards, Elsie would have been in a quandary; as it was, her face brightened.
Joslyn Gray
I confessed myself in as black a quandary as ever man experienced.
Neil Munro
British Dictionary definitions for quandary quandary noun plural -ries
- a situation or circumstance that presents problems difficult to solve; predicament; dilemma
Word Origin for quandary C16: of uncertain origin; perhaps related to Latin quandō when Word Origin and History for quandary n.
“state of perplexity,” 1570s, of unknown origin, perhaps a quasi-Latinism based on Latin quando “when? at what time?; at the time that, inasmuch,” pronomial adverb of time, related to qui “who” (see who). Originally accented on the second syllable.