double-edged
adjective
dou·ble-edged
ˌdə-bəl-ˈejd 
1
: having two cutting edges
a double-edged knife
2
a
: having two components or aspects
a spy with a double-edged mission
b
: capable of being taken in two ways
a double-edged remark
Examples of double-edged in a Sentence
the double-edged purpose of the sales promotion is to clear out existing stock and to attract new customers
her double-edged remark that she hoped that I ultimately got what I deserved
Recent Examples on the Web
The movie’s Spanish title could also be translated as The Thaw, as fitting and double-edged as The Meltdown, but with a slightly different slant, as in Lina’s eventual warming to Inés.
—
Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
The blade was at least ten inches long and double-edged, honed on one side with a wavy scalloped finish, the other a jagged toothing like a lumberjack’s saw.
—Chang-Rae Lee, New Yorker, 3 May 2026
To call a musician a virtuoso can be double-edged.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
There, too, his advocacy is double-edged.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
Given the fact that more than 20 of her rapists are still roaming free, this fame may be double-edged.
—Gaby Wood, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2026
However, trust is double-edged.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Putin boasts of Russia’s record-low 2.3% unemployment rate, but this sword is double-edged.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025
For Eisenberg’s film, the decision is double-edged: from the perspective of the characters, exceptional demands are placed on the dialogue to make their past come to life, but the dialogue isn’t sufficiently rich or imaginative to meet the challenge.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
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.
Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
The blade was at least ten inches long and double-edged, honed on one side with a wavy scalloped finish, the other a jagged toothing like a lumberjack’s saw.
—Chang-Rae Lee, New Yorker, 3 May 2026
To call a musician a virtuoso can be double-edged.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
There, too, his advocacy is double-edged.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
Given the fact that more than 20 of her rapists are still roaming free, this fame may be double-edged.
—Gaby Wood, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2026
However, trust is double-edged.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Putin boasts of Russia’s record-low 2.3% unemployment rate, but this sword is double-edged.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025
For Eisenberg’s film, the decision is double-edged: from the perspective of the characters, exceptional demands are placed on the dialogue to make their past come to life, but the dialogue isn’t sufficiently rich or imaginative to meet the challenge.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Double-edged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double-edged. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
