double whammy

noun

: a combination of two usually adverse forces, circumstances, or effects

Examples of double whammy in a Sentence

With the cold weather and the high cost of heating fuel, homeowners were hit with a double whammy this winter.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The double whammy of losing Lewis and former MuchMusic VJ Juliette Powell in the same week is heavy. Taryn Finley, Refinery29, 12 June 2025 Clearly, given the browser’s dominance across Windows, that’s a double whammy for PC users. Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 The loss of that funding is a double whammy for Dellacamera. Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2025 The cascading impact of Medicaid and Essential Plan cuts may sap NYC Health + Hospitals revenue, but increase demand for its services if New Yorkers lose public health insurance coverage — a double whammy. Andrew Rein, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for double whammy

Word History

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of double whammy was in 1951

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Cite this Entry

“Double whammy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double%20whammy. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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