What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Dilemma vs Bafflement - What's the difference?

dilemma | bafflement | Related terms |

Dilemma is a related term of bafflement.


As nouns the difference between dilemma and bafflement

is that dilemma is dilemma (a situation with two (or more) alternatives to choose from, and where all alternatives are unsatisfactory or undesirable ) while bafflement is (uncountable) the state or result of being baffled, puzzled, or confused.

dilemma

English

Noun

(en-noun)
  • A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable.
  • * Jonathan Swift
    • A strong dilemma in a desperate case! / To act with infamy, or quit the place.
  • A difficult circumstance or problem.
  • (logic) A type of syllogism of the form "if A is true then B is true; if C is true then D is true; either A or C is true; therefore either B or D is true".
  • (rhetoric) Offering to an opponent a choice between two (equally unfavorable) alternatives.

    • Usage notes

    * The sense of a difficult circumstance or problem is considered non-standard[by whom?]. * Occasionally spelled/misspelled as dilemna'', perhaps originally via false analogy with words such as ''condemn'', ''solemn'', and ''hymn . This spelling has been reportedly taught in many regions of Great Britain and the United States as well as around the world; and can be found in the works of many well-known authors (e.g. Watts, Defroe & Goldsmith). World Wide Words: Dilemma

    Synonyms

    * (circumstance in which a choice must be made between two alternatives) * (any difficult circumstance) bind, fix, pickle, problem, quandary * (logic) * (rhetoric) * See also

    Derived terms

    * on the horns of a dilemma

    Related terms

    * lemma * trilemma * tetralemma * pentalemma

    See also

    * * between a rock and a hard place * between the devil and the deep blue sea * between Scylla and Charybdis * Buridan's ass

    References

    *

    Anagrams

    * ----

    bafflement

    English

    Noun

  • (uncountable) The state or result of being baffled, puzzled, or confused.
  • * 1920 , , The Bat , ch. 12:
    • "Have you any theory about this occurrence to-night?" She watched him eagerly as she asked the question.
    He made a gesture of bafflement .
    "None whatever—it's beyond me," he confessed.
  • (countable) Something that causes a state of confusion or puzzlement.
  • * 2005 Dec. 16, , " Best of 2005: Music," Time :
    • The cartoon characters on the front cover, the irritatingly meaningless track names . . . make it seem like a concept album about global warming for kids. Since the lyrics remain a bafflement , it might well be.