dilemma
dih-LEM-uhnounMeaning a hard choice between two options, often both unpleasant
Memory hook DI-LEMMA: TWO LEMONS, pick one. Kai must eat one of two sour lemons; whichever he picks, he’ll pucker. Two choices, both sour: that is a dilemma.
Lila faced a dilemma: her best friend’s party and her cousin’s recital were both on Saturday at noon.
In context The coach faced a dilemma; if she pitched her star player today, he would be too tired for the final, but if she rested him, the team might lose today’s game.
Similar predicament, quandary, difficult choice, bind
From Greek dilemma, “a double proposition”: di (two) + lemma (a premise, something taken for granted).