quandary

Meanings

• Noun

  A state of perplexity or uncertainty; a difficult question or problem to be solved.

  - "He found himself in a quandary over which job offer to accept."
  - "The team was in a quandary about how to approach the project."

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Pronunciation

1. /ˈkwɔn.də.ɹi/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=75857494"

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Synonyms

dilemma , perplexity , pickle , predicament , uncertainty

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with quandary
dairy , airy , quarry , wary

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Variants

List of all variants of quandary that leads to same result
quandaries , quandary , in a quandary

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

From Middle English quaundre, quandary, from Old French quander, from quander, to wander, doubt, question.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The word quandary first appeared in English in the 15th century.

2. Quandary is a palindromic word, meaning it reads the same backwards as forwards.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. dilemma: A situation in which a difficult decision must be made, especially when the alternatives are undesirable.

2. predicament: A difficult or unpleasant situation, especially one that is hard to get out of.

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Quotes

Quotes by authors and personalities

1. … the inevitable economic "quandary" that faces a people in the transition from slavery to freedom, and especially those who make that change amid hate and prejudice, lawlessness and ruthless competition.

   - W. E. B. Du Bois,{it}The Souls of Black Folk{/it},1903

2. Williams's "quandary" is not unlike that faced by other urban executives who have had to wrestle with a deeply rooted power structure. The problem is especially acute for African American mayors. They are expected to serve as sentries, protecting their cities' black communities and staving off so-called white encroachment.

   - Jonetta Rose Barras,{it}Washington Post{/it},15 June 2003

3. For a sticky philosophical "quandary", the questions are pretty simple: am I a clerk charged with selling college degrees or am I involved in a more meaningful experience? Part of me says that no argument is more worthy of my attention.

   - Lynne Drury Lerych,{it}Newsweek{/it},9 Apr. 2001

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Quandary is a common term used in literature and everyday language to describe a difficult or perplexing situation. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a person who is indecisive or uncertain.

How to Memorize "quandary"

1. visualize
   

   - Imagine a person standing at a crossroads, unsure which way to go. This is a visual representation of being in a quandary.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word quandary with uncertainty, doubt, and perplexity.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Use the acronym Q-U-A-N-D-A-R-Y to remember the definition: Question Uncertainty And Need Decision And Resolution Yield.

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