Meanings
plural Sophie's choices
- A choice where every alternative has significant negative consequences.
We've been given a Sophie's Choice,' said Senate Minority Leader Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton. 'We can improperly care for some children vs. improperly care for other children.'
2004 March 2, “Committees OK boost for KidCare; Panels vote for additional $25M”, in Tallahassee Democrat1 more example
As things turned out, all the enemy missiles were destroyed in flight -- two were hit very early after launch by an airborne laser system -- and a Sophie's choice was averted."
2004 March 17, Bradley Graham, “Simulated Attacks Repelled In Antimissile War Game; U.S. Almost Exhausted Arsenal of Interceptors”, in Washington Post, page A03Synonyms: Hobson's choice, Catch-22, dilemma, Hobson's choice, Morton's fork, no-win situation, quandary, ass in a sling
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA choice where every alternative has significant negative consequences.
Origin
From the title of the book Sophie's Choice (1979), by William Styron, in which a mother is forced to decide which of her children will die.
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Czech Sofiina volba
- Sofiina volbachoice where every alternative has significant negative consequences
Polish wybór Zofii
- wybór Zofiichoice where every alternative has significant negative consequences
Cite this entry
Sophie's choice. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Sophie's%20choice
“Sophie's choice.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Sophie's%20choice. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Sophie's choice,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Sophie's%20choice.
Source: Sophie's choice on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.