as in dilemma
a situation in which one has to choose between two or more equally unsatisfactory choices
the double bind faced by every politician: responding to scurrilous charges only gives them unwarranted publicity; not responding to such charges is often interpreted as an admission of guilt
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Recent Examples of double bind
Despite firm commitments to advancing women into leadership roles, significant barriers remain, starting with the double bind.
—
Dr. Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
The dynamic has put some condo owners in a double bind, Marcus said — unable to afford special assessments for repairs or rising maintenance fees and insurance rates, but also unable to sell their units for a reasonable sum.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
The concept evidently places defense lawyers in a double bind.
—Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
The double bind highlights the hypocrisy women face at work.
—Dr. Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for double bind
Dr. Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
The dynamic has put some condo owners in a double bind, Marcus said — unable to afford special assessments for repairs or rising maintenance fees and insurance rates, but also unable to sell their units for a reasonable sum.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
The concept evidently places defense lawyers in a double bind.
—Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
The double bind highlights the hypocrisy women face at work.
—Dr. Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for double bind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for double bind
Noun
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Many of Cuomo’s mayoral race opponents have condemned the spending, saying the PAC gives him an unfair advantage in the race and poses an ethical dilemma since many of its contributors have city government business interests.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
27 May 2025
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Here are eight passages that capture the new pope’s thinking as a young scholar on leadership, authority and some of the church’s most pressing dilemmas.—
Ruth Graham,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Noun
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The platform ran into problems Thursday, when nearly 6,000 users reported issues with X’s website and app.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
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The problems started shortly after 8 a.m. ET Saturday and within an hour, there were 11,871 reports logged.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Double bind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/double%20bind. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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