prih-DIK-uh-ment
Predicament refers to a difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation from which it is hard to extricate oneself. It describes a challenging circumstance that presents a dilemma or problem requiring careful consideration to resolve.
18
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
đź’ˇ Pro Tip:
PREDICAMENT contains valuable letters like P (3 pts), C (3 pts), and M (3 pts). The word also features common endings (-MENT) that can help in forming other words. Its 11 letters make it challenging to play but rewarding when you can use existing tiles effectively.
A predicament is a difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation that presents a problem or dilemma. It describes circumstances where someone finds themselves in trouble or facing a challenging decision with no easy solution. The word captures the essence of being caught in a bind, where every available option seems problematic or undesirable.
The term carries a sense of entanglement or entrapment, suggesting that the person experiencing the predicament is somewhat stuck or constrained by circumstances. Unlike a simple problem that might have a straightforward solution, a predicament implies complexity and difficulty in finding a way out. It often involves conflicting interests, limited options, or potential negative consequences regardless of the chosen course of action.
In everyday usage, predicament can range from minor inconveniences to serious crises. A student might face the predicament of having two important exams on the same day, while a business leader might confront the predicament of choosing between layoffs or bankruptcy. The word effectively conveys both the difficulty of the situation and the emotional stress it can cause.
The word is particularly useful in literature and storytelling, where characters' predicaments drive plot development and create tension. Writers often place protagonists in predicaments to test their character, reveal their values, and advance the narrative. These situations force characters to make difficult choices that reveal their true nature.
In word games, PREDICAMENT is a valuable 11-letter word worth 18 points in Scrabble before any multipliers. Its length makes it challenging to play, typically requiring you to build off existing tiles on the board. The word contains useful letter combinations and the productive suffix -MENT, which can help in forming related words or finding places to play it on the board.
The word "predicament" has a fascinating journey from philosophical terminology to everyday usage. It derives from the Late Latin praedicamentum, meaning "something predicated or asserted," which comes from praedicare (to proclaim or assert). The prefix "prae-" means "before" and "dicare" means "to proclaim."
The word's evolution through different periods:
The semantic shift from "category" to "difficult situation" likely occurred because being placed in a particular category or classification could be limiting or problematic. The idea of being "boxed in" by categorization naturally evolved into the concept of being trapped in a difficult situation.
Words with similar meaning
Dilemma
A situation requiring a choice between equally undesirable alternatives
Quandary
A state of perplexity or uncertainty
Plight
A dangerous or difficult situation
Crisis
A time of intense difficulty or danger
Impasse
A situation with no apparent solution
Bind
A problematic situation (informal)
Words with opposite meaning
Solution
A means of solving a problem
Resolution
The action of solving a problem
Advantage
A favorable position or circumstance
Opportunity
A favorable time or situation
Blessing
Something beneficial or fortunate
Benefit
An advantage or profit gained
Plural Form
predicaments
They found themselves in several predicaments.
Related Adjective
predicamental
The predicamental nature of the situation.
Common Variations & Related Terms
An embarrassing difficult situation
An extremely serious situation
Money-related difficulties
Ethical dilemma or conflict
"The detective found himself in a predicament: reveal the truth and destroy an innocent family, or stay silent and let a criminal go free."
"Sarah's predicament was all too common among recent graduates—overwhelming student debt and no job prospects in her field."
"The company's predicament stemmed from years of poor management decisions and mounting competition from overseas manufacturers."
Winston Churchill: "The predicament of the modern world stems from the gap between our technological power and our wisdom to use it."
Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice): "Elizabeth found herself in the predicament of having to choose between family loyalty and personal happiness."
Mark Twain: "The human race's predicament is that we're the only species smart enough to create our own problems."
Total base points: 18 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 4 | Consonants: 7
High-value letters: P, C, M (9 pts combined)
11-letter anagrams and related words
Full anagrams:
Can be extended to:
Contains these words:
đź’ˇ Tip: The -MENT suffix is productive for word building strategies!
If you can't play PREDICAMENT, consider these subwords:
Predicament is a favorite word among writers for creating tension and conflict. From Shakespeare's tragic heroes facing moral predicaments to modern thriller protagonists caught in life-or-death situations, the concept drives narrative forward. Films often center entirely around a character's predicament—think of "127 Hours" or "Buried" where the entire plot revolves around escape from a dire situation.
Psychologists study how people respond to predicaments, revealing much about decision-making, stress responses, and problem-solving abilities. The famous "trolley problem" is a moral predicament used to explore ethical reasoning. Existential philosophers like Sartre explored the human predicament of freedom and responsibility.
Corporate leaders and politicians frequently face predicaments requiring careful navigation. The term appears regularly in news headlines: "The Budget Predicament," "Brexit Predicament," or "Climate Predicament." These usage patterns reflect how the word captures complex situations where multiple stakeholders have conflicting interests.
Social media has created new types of predicaments—privacy versus connectivity, authenticity versus curation, free speech versus harmful content. The "predicament of choice" in streaming services, dating apps, and online shopping represents a modern twist on an ancient concept.
Predicament vs. Problem
Predicament implies being trapped; problem can be straightforward
Predicament vs. Situation
Predicament is always negative; situation is neutral
Not "in predicament"
Say "in a predicament" (needs article)
Pronunciation: prih-DIK-uh-ment
Not "PRED-ick-ament" or "pre-DICK-ament"
DILEMMA
Choice between two difficulties
QUANDARY
State of perplexity
PLIGHT
Dangerous situation
CRISIS
Time of intense difficulty
IMPASSE
Deadlock situation
CONUNDRUM
Confusing problem
PICKLE
Difficult situation (informal)
STRAITS
Position of difficulty
ORDEAL
Painful experience
Other valuable 11-letter words in Scrabble
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like PREDICAMENT