Meaning of Quandary | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A state of not knowing what to decide; a state of difficulty or perplexity; a state of uncertainty, hesitation or puzzlement.
2. A locality in the Temora council area, central New South Wales, Australia.
3. A dilemma, a difficult decision or choice.

Equivalents

Examples

“As a Hitchin signalman once pointed out to me, when a regulating quandary arises concerning a fast-moving Class A train⟳ there is no time to consult⟳ Control⟳ and get⟳ their answer⟳ before the express⟳ is on one's doorstep.”

“Investors face⟳ a quandary. Cash offers a return⟳ of virtually zero in many developed countries; government-bond yields may have⟳ risen in recent weeks but they are still unattractive. Equities have⟳ suffered two big bear⟳ markets since 2000 and are wobbling again. It is hardly surprising that pension funds, insurers and endowments are searching for new sources of return⟳.”

“To quote the oracle of Delphi, / Love⟳ thou thy neighbor as thyself, aye, / And hate⟳ him as thyself thou hatest. / There quandary is at its greatest.”

“But we may suppose⟳ that John has set⟳ his priorities in such a way that the quandary is spurious.”

“What a difficult quandary for a bright, talented child!”

“Then I would begin⟳ contemplating the next quandary: "Does the Torah say⟳ it's okay to portray a hooker, and is a heart of gold a mitigating factor?"”

“The film explores Oppenheimer’s moral quandary over his role in creating the most destructive weapon ever made, but nuclear disarmament campaigners fear its power to persuade⟳ people of the existential threat posed by nuclear arms may be diminished by its focus⟳ on scientific achievement.”

CEFR level