trilemma

Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).

Synonyms: dilemma, epilemma, axilemma

Antonyms: dilemma, epilemma, axilemma

Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.

Noun

1. A [[circumstance]] in which a [[choice]] must be made between [[three]] [[option#Noun|options]] that seem [[equally]] [[undesirable]].<ref>{{R:OED Online|pos=n|id=6159667659}}</ref><ref>{{R:Merriam-Webster Online|pos=n}}</ref>
2. A situation in which a choice must be made among three [[desirable]] options, only [[two]] of which are possible at the same time.
3. {{lb|en|logic}} An [[argument]] containing three [[alternative]]s, jointly [[exhaustive]] either under any [[condition#Noun|condition(s)]] or under all condition(s) consistent with the [[universe of discourse]] of that argument, that each [[imply]] the same [[conclusion]].

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.