Damocles

noun

Dam·​o·​cles ˈda-mə-ˌklēz 

: a courtier of ancient Syracuse held to have been seated at a banquet beneath a sword hung by a single hair

Damoclean

ˌda-mə-ˈklē-ən 

adjective

Examples of Damocles in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But just as affordability may be improving, the Damocles Sword of import tariffs set to go into effect on April 2 represents a roadblock. — Ed Garsten, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025

That may well be Trump’s end game after all: The crisis may pass, but the threat of tariffs will hang like the Sword of Damocles over any investments in Mexico and Canada for the remainder of his administration or longer, giving persuasive arguments to corporations to stay at home. — Juan Pablo Spinetto, Twin Cities, 9 Feb. 2025

In those days, heart attacks hung like the Sword of Damocles. — Budd Shenkin, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2025

The Sword of Damocles that killed off The Sisters Squad is swinging ever closer. — Jack King, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek Damoklēs

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing Damocles

• Sword of Damocles

Rhymes for Damocles

• abcs
• absentees
• addressees
• adoptees
• allottees
• amputees
• antifreeze
• appellees
• appointees
• arrestees
• artistes
• assamese