Conundrum
Two good options that hate each other, or one bad option dressed as a choice, both belong in this category of headache.
Learn This WordMeaning
A confusing and difficult problem or question; a dilemma.
Memory trick
Think “CON-UNDRUM” = everyone’s “under a drum,” confused by the noise, conundrum = confusing problem.
Examples
Balancing speed and quality is a conundrum for many teams.
It’s a moral conundrum with no easy answer.
The detective faced a conundrum when the alibi checked out.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
Origin uncertain, first recorded in English in the late 16th century; likely a playful or coined term.
Usage Notes
Use when a problem is both tricky and somewhat perplexing, not just any inconvenience.
Real-life contexts
Use at work: "Here’s the conundrum: we need speed without breaking reliability."
Use in conversation: "That’s a real conundrum, what would you do?"
Use in writing: "The central conundrum of the story is trust."
Common Mistakes
Conundrum is not always a strict either/or choice (that’s closer to “dilemma”). It can be any perplexing problem.
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Start LearningQuick Facts
Part of Speech
noun
Difficulty
intermediateMonthly Searches
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