Which term best describes a situation where an individual must make a choice between two difficult options?

The term that best describes a situation where an individual faces a choice between two difficult options is "dilemma." A dilemma specifically implies that there are two or more competing choices that are difficult to navigate, often because each option presents its own set of challenges or moral implications. This makes the decision-making process particularly complex and stressful, as the individual must weigh the consequences of each choice.

While terms like "predicament" and "conundrum" also refer to challenging situations, they do not capture the specific nature of having to choose between difficult options as aptly as "dilemma" does. A predicament typically refers to a difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation, but may not necessarily involve a direct choice between two difficult paths. Meanwhile, a conundrum generally refers to a confusing and difficult problem or question, which may not center specifically on making a choice. A paradox, on the other hand, involves a situation that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in fact may express a truth, rather than a choice between options.

Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why "dilemma" is the most appropriate term in this context.