double bind

Definition of double bindnext
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of double bind As if breaking the law would offer a symbolic release from this double bind, the third video documents Liden trespassing into the apartment of an anonymous hoarder. Erika Landström, Artforum, 2 June 2026 Cast members of color, on the other hand, are often trapped in a double bind of sorts. Shamira Ibrahim, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026 China is already facing a double bind of labor shortages in some sectors and unemployment in others. Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026 This double bind can be traumatic. Hind Haddad, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for double bind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for double bind
Noun
  • Getty Images The plight of the A’s in Oakland and the Rays in Tampa Bay has been a Major League Baseball dilemma for decades, spanning the careers of the last two commissioners, Rob Manfred and Bud Selig.
    Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Gaines and White talked at length at halftime of Friday’s game about their convictions on the trans in women’s sports dilemma.
    Patricia Babcock McGraw OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • But there’s a deeper problem, by Dartmouth provost Santiago Schnell, as 100% AI-written.
    Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The problem is, Isolde is very busy with work, so Ry is often left to herself with four alarms a day to take medication to prevent seizures.
    Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Double bind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/double%20bind. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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