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Conundrum vs Doldrums - What's the difference?

conundrum | doldrums |

As nouns the difference between conundrum and doldrums

is that conundrum is a difficult question or riddle, especially one using a play on words in the answer while doldrums is a part of the ocean near the equator, abounding in calms, squalls, and light, baffling winds, which sometimes prevent all progress for weeks – so called by sailors.

conundrum

English

Noun

(en-noun)
  • A difficult question or riddle, especially one using a play on words in the answer.
  • * 1816 ,
  • “Why should I understand that, or anything else?” asked the girl. “Don’t bother my head by asking conundrums , I beg of you. Just let me discover myself in my own way.”
  • A difficult choice or decision that must be made.
  • * 2004 , , statement read before being sentenced to five months in prison
  • And while I am more concerned about the well-being of others than for myself, more hurt for them and for their losses than for my own, more worried for their futures than for the future of Martha Stewart the person, you are faced with a conundrum , a problem of monumental, to me, proportions.

    Synonyms

    * (difficult question) brain-teaser, enigma, puzzle, riddle * (difficult choice) dilemma

    doldrums

    Noun

    (en-plural noun)
  • A part of the ocean near the equator, abounding in calms, squalls, and light, baffling winds, which sometimes prevent all progress for weeks – so called by sailors
  • the state of boredom, malaise, apathy or lack of interest; a state of listlessness; ennui, or tedium
  • I was in the doldrums yesterday and just didn't feel inspired.

    Derived terms

    * doldrum

    Coordinate terms

    (region near the equator) * intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) * intertropical front (ITF)