disyuntiva

dilemma

noun dees-yoon-TEE-bah Rare

Origin: From Latin disiunctiva, 'disjunctive'.

Also means

either-or choice

Usage Note

Disyuntiva refers specifically to a situation requiring a choice between two mutually exclusive options — closer to 'either-or dilemma' than a vague difficulty. It is always feminine. In logic, proposición disyuntiva means a disjunctive proposition (an 'or' statement). Learners should not confuse it with dilema, which can involve more than two options.

Examples

"Se encontraba ante una difícil disyuntiva."

Natural Translation

He found himself facing a difficult dilemma.

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