【Predicament】 , 【dilemma】 , 【quandary】 , 【plight】 , 【scrape】 , 【fix】 , 【jam】 , 【pickle】 can all denote a situation from which one does or can extricate himself only with difficulty.
【Predicament】 carries the implication that the situation constitutes a problem for those who are involved in it and may additionally imply lack of freedom to do what one wishes or finds essential for some reason, or it may imply deep perplexity as to ways out of the situation.
【Dilemma】 applies to a situation which constitutes a 【predicament】 from which one can escape only by a choice of equally unpleasant or unsatisfactory alternatives.
【Quandary】 differs from 【dilemma】 chiefly in its stress on puzzlement or perplexity; in fact, this implication is often so emphasized that the suggestion of a 【dilemma】 or an unavoidable choice between alternatives is lost or obscured.
The remaining words all definitely imply a difficulty, often a very disagreeable situation.
【Plight】 suggests an unfortunate, trying, or unhappy situation.
【Scrape】 applies to a specific difficulty in which one is involved through one′s own fault; often it suggests a being in disgrace or disfavor.
【Fix】 and 【jam】 are somewhat casual terms that stress involvement and entanglement from which extrication is difficult.
【Pickle】 applies to a particularly distressing or sorry 【plight】 .