Pronunciation: /traɪˈlɛmə/

Definitions of trilemma

noun a difficult choice between three options or possibilities

Example Sentences

A1 I faced a trilemma when trying to decide which movie to watch.

A2 She found herself in a trilemma when choosing between studying, working, or spending time with friends.

B1 The trilemma of balancing work, family, and personal time can be challenging.

B2 As a manager, he often encounters the trilemma of prioritizing tasks, managing resources, and meeting deadlines.

C1 The trilemma of economic policy involves balancing inflation, unemployment, and economic growth.

C2 In international relations, leaders often face the trilemma of sovereignty, security, and global cooperation.

Examples of trilemma in a Sentence

formal The economist presented a trilemma involving economic growth, income inequality, and environmental sustainability.

informal I'm stuck in a trilemma trying to decide between going out with friends, studying for exams, or catching up on sleep.

slang I'm in a trilemma about which movie to watch tonight - action, comedy, or horror?

figurative She found herself in a trilemma of emotions, torn between love, anger, and sadness.

Grammatical Forms of trilemma

past tense

trilemmaed

plural

trilemmas

comparative

more trilemma

superlative

most trilemma

present tense

trilemma

future tense

will trilemma

perfect tense

have trilemmaed

continuous tense

is trilemmaing

singular

trilemma

positive degree

trilemma

infinitive

to trilemma

gerund

trilemmaing

participle

trilemmaed

Origin and Evolution of trilemma

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: Greek
Story behind the word: The word 'trilemma' is derived from the Greek words 'tri' meaning three and 'lemma' meaning proposition or premise.
Evolution of the word: Originally used in logic to refer to a situation where three choices are possible, each of which is unfavorable. Over time, the term has been adapted to various fields including philosophy, theology, and decision-making scenarios.