quandary

/ˈkwɑːn.dri/

NOUN

1. A difficult or troublesome situation

A difficult, unpleasant, or complicated situation that is hard to resolve or escape.

A troublesome situation involving problems, obstacles, or complications that are difficult to overcome.

The unexpected financial losses left the company in a difficult quandary.
He found himself in a quandary after losing his passport in a foreign country.

A difficult situation in which conflicting demands or equally unfavorable alternatives make it hard to find an acceptable solution.

The negotiations reached a quandary when neither side was willing to compromise.
The conflicting regulations created a quandary for the business owners.

NOUN

A state of being unable to decide what to do or which choice to make, often because of doubt, confusion, or competing considerations.

A state of uncertainty or hesitation when faced with two or more alternatives, especially when the best choice is unclear.

A state of being puzzled or bewildered by a complicated matter that is difficult to understand or resolve.

The contradictory instructions put the new employees in a quandary.
The unexpected results left the researchers in a quandary about how to interpret their findings.