whipsaw

1 of 2

noun

whip·​saw ˈ(h)wip-ˌsȯ 

: a narrow pit saw averaging 5 to 7¹/₂ feet (1.5 to 2.3 meters) in length

whipsaw

2 of 2

verb

whipsawed; whipsawing; whipsaws

transitive verb

1

: to saw with a whipsaw

2

: to beset or victimize in two opposite ways at once, by a two-phase operation, or by the collusive action of two opponents

wage earners were whipsawed by inflation and high taxes

Did you know?

A whipsaw is a type of hand-powered saw worked by two people, one of whom stands on or above the log being sawed and the other below it, usually in a pit. The tool dates back to the 15th century, but it was not until the 19th century that anyone thought to use the saw's name figuratively to describe situations in which someone or something is doubly "cut," or hurt. Today, the word is commonly used when discussing financial crises or losses as well as ideological changes (as in government policy) that might "cut."

Examples of whipsaw in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In other words, even an ultimately successful breakout may go through a few whipsaws before the big move finally materializes. —Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025

And, while production may vary day-to-day as the winds blow, prices can be set for decades—immune from the whipsaws of global commodity prices. —Justin Worland, Time, 21 June 2025

Verb

The global economy continues to whipsaw as US policy changes from day to day – sometimes hour to hour. —Nish Acharya, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Human spaceflight has floundered for decades, haunted by its inability to replicate its greatest achievements and whipsawed by changing presidential priorities. —Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for whipsaw

• aa
• aha
• bashaw
• bradshaw
• byelaw
• bylaw
• chainsaw
• cheraw
• coleslaw
• crenshaw
• dada
• esau

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