quandary
/ˈkwɔn.də.ɹi/
Group 28Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (noun)
- A state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation GRE
Example in Context
The revelations left the committee in a quandary, caught between the obligation to act on the evidence and the political cost of doing so.
Synonyms
dilemmapredicamentbind
Etymology
A state of 'when' — perplexity over what to do.
- quando (Latin) — when
Memory Aid
🧭Sounds like “wandery”
When a lost traveler is WANDERING with no map, they’re in a QUANDARY about where to go next!
Visual Association
🤔A person standing at a fork in the road, scratching their head in a quandary about which path to take.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “quandary” mean on the GRE?
quandary (noun) means “A state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation”. The revelations left the committee in a quandary, caught between the obligation to act on the evidence and the political cost of doing so.
How to remember “quandary” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “quandary” sounds like “wandery”. When a lost traveler is WANDERING with no map, they’re in a QUANDARY about where to go next!
What are synonyms for “quandary”?
Common synonyms: dilemma, predicament, bind.