predicaments
Tough spots overall
Predicaments are difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situations from which there is no easy escape.
The word implies being stuck—trapped by circumstances rather than facing a simple problem with an obvious solution: She found herself in quite a predicament when both dates showed up at the same restaurant.
Often used with a touch of wry acknowledgment that one's own choices contributed to the trouble.
Forced choice between undesirables
- quandaryState of perplexity
- bindFasten or obligate
- jamCooked fruit spread
- pickleVinegar-preserved vegetable
fix · trouble · tight spot · sticky situation · mess · scrape · hole · corner
Situation with competing values
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- choiceAct of selecting
- crossroadsMeeting of routes
- temptationUrge toward the unwise
integrity · values · principles · right and wrong · trolley problem · conflicted · torn · duty
Decisive dangerous moment
- urgencyPressing need for action
- dangerExposure to harm
- perilSerious threat of harm
- jeopardyRisk of harm
distress · emergency · life-threatening · survival · rescue · stranded · trapped · mayday
Lack of grace or ease
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
- faux pasSocial misstep or indiscretion
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- reputationCollective opinion of someone
shame · disgrace · humiliation · gossip · exposure · caught · compromised · saving face
Money owed another
- bankruptcyLegal status when insolvent
- insolvencyInability to pay debts
- foreclosureLender seizes mortgaged property
- defaultPreset standard option
arrears · underwater · cash flow · shortfall · overdraft · broke · insolvent · creditors
dilemma
Forced choice between undesirables
pickle · fix · trouble · tight spot · sticky situation · mess · scrape · hole · corner · impasse
ethical dilemma
Situation with competing values
- conscienceInternal moral sense
- choiceAct of selecting
- crossroadsMeeting of routes
temptation · integrity · values · principles · right and wrong · trolley problem · conflicted · torn · duty · obligation
crisis
Decisive dangerous moment
jeopardy · distress · emergency · life-threatening · survival · rescue · stranded · trapped · mayday · SOS
awkwardness
Lack of grace or ease
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
- faux pasSocial misstep or indiscretion
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
reputation · shame · disgrace · humiliation · gossip · exposure · caught · compromised · saving face · public eye
debt
Money owed another
- bankruptcyLegal status when insolvent
- insolvencyInability to pay debts
- foreclosureLender seizes mortgaged property
default · arrears · underwater · cash flow · shortfall · overdraft · broke · insolvent · creditors · repossession
- logicpremise, premises, conclusion, conclusions, inference
- blundersblunder, blunders, blundered, mistakes, botch
- conflictsargument, fight, war, battle, dispute
- puzzlerspuzzle master, brainteasers, brain-teasers, conundrums, enigmas
predicamentssmooth sailing
Untroubled progress forward
security · good fortune · easy street · comfort zones · comfort