The word 抉择 is formed by combining two characters, 抉 and 择, which both independently carry the core meaning of "to choose" or "to select". 抉 implies a process of picking out or making a discerning choice, often from among options, while 择 straightforwardly means to select or pick. By joining these two synonyms, the compound intensifies and deepens the concept, evolving it from a simple selection into a weighty, considered decision, often one made with careful deliberation between significant alternatives. The formation is a classical example of semantic compounding, where two elements of similar meaning unite to create a single, more nuanced idea.