Quandary \Quan"da*ry\, v. t.
To bring into a state of uncertainty, perplexity, or
difficulty. [Obs.] --Otway.
[1913 Webster]
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
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, plight]
2: state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a
choice between equally unfavorable options [syn: dilemma]
WordNet (r) 2.0
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
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0
dilemma, plight, predicament
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