a quandary posed by three alternative courses of action
2.
an argument one of the premises of which is the disjunction of three statements from each of which the same conclusion is derived
Word origin
C17: formed on the model of dilemma, from tri- + Greek lēmma assumption
trilemma in American English
(traiˈlemə)
noun
1.
a situation, analogous to a dilemma, in which there are three almost equally undesirable alternatives
His trilemma consisted in not knowing whether to acknowledge receipt, deny it, orsimply leave
2. Logic
a form of argument in which three choices are presented, each of which is indicated to have consequences that may be unfavorable
Word origin
[1665–75; tri- + (di)lemma]This word is first recorded in the period 1665–75. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: diffraction, group, recessive, suite, wigtri- is a combining form meaning “three,” used in the formation of compound words. Otherwords that use the affix tri- include: triathlon, triforium, trigeminal, trio, triple
Examples of 'trilemma' in a sentence
trilemma
Economists refer to a 'trilemma' in international finance.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
So goes the inexorable logic of the trilemma.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Economists refer to a 'trilemma' between national sovereignty, financial stability and cross-border finance.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And those are the two important things to remember: first that the trilemma is inviolable.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Over the past century and a bit, the world economy has lurched around the extremities of this trilemma.