quandary

quandary
    n 1: a situation from which extrication is difficult especially
         an unpleasant or trying one; "finds himself in a most
         awkward predicament"; "the woeful plight of homeless
         people" [syn: {predicament}, {quandary}, {plight}]
    2: state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a
       choice between equally unfavorable options [syn: {dilemma},
       {quandary}]
    

Quandary \Quan"da*ry\, v. t.
   To bring into a state of uncertainty, perplexity, or
   difficulty. [Obs.] --Otway.
   [1913 Webster]
    

Quandary \Quan"da*ry\, n.; pl. {Quandaries}. [Prob. fr. OE.
   wandreth adversity, perplexity, Icel. wandr[ae][eth]i
   difficulty, trouble, fr. vandr difficult.]
   A state of difficulty or perplexity; doubt; uncertainty.
   [1913 Webster]
    

47 Moby Thesaurus words for "quandary":
      Gordian knot, baffle, bafflement, bewilderment, bother,
      confoundment, confusion, crux, difficulty, dilemma, discomposure,
      disconcert, disconcertedness, disconcertion, disconcertment,
      disturbance, embarrassment, enigma, fix, jam, knot, knotty point,
      mystery, node, nodus, nonplus, oxymoron, paradox, perplexity,
      perturbation, pickle, plight, pons asinorum, poser, pother,
      predicament, problem, puzzle, puzzlement, riddle, scrape, stew,
      teaser, unassuredness, uncertainty, upset, vexed question