quandary
State of uncertainty
A quandary is a state of uncertainty or perplexity about what to do—a difficult situation with no clear right answer.
The word suggests being genuinely stuck, weighing options that all seem problematic: I'm in a quandary about whether to take the job or stay where I am.
Unlike a simple choice, a quandary implies real difficulty and often anxiety.
Perplexing problem or question
- catch-22Paradoxical no-win situation
- predicamentDifficult, unpleasant situation
- bindFasten or obligate
- pickleVinegar-preserved vegetable
jam · fix · plight · tight spot · corner · box · hole · scrape
Delay from uncertainty
- vacillationInability to choose
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- ditheringProlonged indecisive hesitation
- fence-sittingRefusing to take sides
second-guessing · irresolution · ambivalence · torn · conflicted · waffling · hemming and hawing · paralysis
Mental state of confusion
- bewildermentState of being baffled
- puzzlementState of being baffled
- bafflementMental state of confusion
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
doubt · befuddlement · disorientation · mystification · head-scratching · stumped · at a loss · flummoxed
Mutual blocking, no progress
- stalemateMutual obstruction preventing progress
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
- logjamObstruction halting flow
standstill · dead end · bottleneck · blockage · stuck · roadblock · cul-de-sac · checkmate
conundrum
Perplexing problem or question
- catch-22Paradoxical no-win situation
- predicamentDifficult, unpleasant situation
- bindFasten or obligate
pickle · jam · fix · plight · tight spot · corner · box · hole · scrape · mire
hesitation
Delay from uncertainty
- vacillationInability to choose
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- ditheringProlonged indecisive hesitation
fence-sitting · second-guessing · irresolution · ambivalence · torn · conflicted · waffling · hemming and hawing · paralysis · stalling
perplexity
Mental state of confusion
- bewildermentState of being baffled
- puzzlementState of being baffled
- bafflementMental state of confusion
uncertainty · doubt · befuddlement · disorientation · mystification · head-scratching · stumped · at a loss · flummoxed · nonplussed
deadlock
Mutual blocking, no progress
- stalemateMutual obstruction preventing progress
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
logjam · standstill · dead end · bottleneck · blockage · stuck · roadblock · cul-de-sac · checkmate
- confusionconfusion, confused, bewilderment, perplexity, baffled
- predicamentspredicament, dilemma, bind, pickle, pinch
- problemsproblem, issue, difficulty, complication, trouble
- SAT vocabularyaesthetic, ambiguous, benevolent, candid, concise
- situationssituation, circumstance, condition, state, predicament
- Troublesproblem, trouble, issue, setback, snag
quandarycertainty
Total absence of doubt
certitude · clarity · clear path · conviction · confidence
quandarycinch
Guaranteed easy thing
breeze · snap · no-brainer · solution · easy answer
- moral quandaryDifficult choice between principles
- ethical quandaryDifficult choice between values
- ethical quandariesProblems of conscience