double-edged sword

noun

|Updated on: 6 Jul 2018

Definition of double-edged sword

: something that has or can have both favorable and unfavorable consequences

This much freedom of expression and opinion can be a double-edged sword.
—Linda Connors

See double-edged sword defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of double-edged sword from the Web

High valuations, for example, can be a double-edged sword.

— dana cimilluca, WSJ, "M&A Market Headed for a Record, Powered by Tech Disruption, AT&T Ruling," 1 July 2018
Jamie Lisanti: Grass court lead-up tournaments are a double-edged sword.

— the si staff, SI.com, "Wimbledon 2018 Preview Roundtable: Predictions, Dark Horses, More," 29 June 2018
No, because of the dearth of information available, which is a double-edged sword.

— patricia r. olsen, New York Times, "Portraying 18th-Century Black Men in Colonial Williamsburg," 8 June 2018
Big helpings of tech stocks are a double-edged sword.

— adam shell, USA TODAY, "Tech’s rising influence on 401(k) plans: pros and cons of tech's swelling weight in S&P 500," 6 June 2018
The top two vote getters will advance to the November contest, regardless of party, and the churning anti-Trump fervor in the Golden state has been a double-edged sword.

— maeve reston, CNN, "How a surge of progressive energy could backfire on Democrats in California," 31 May 2018
That reaction typifies the double-edged sword that Pelosi has become for Democrats.

— chris cillizza, CNN, "Nancy Pelosi is a huge doubled-edged sword for Democrats," 2 May 2018
Parenting is a tough business and a double-edged sword; successful parenting requires devoting one's life to a totally dependent being to ensure a safe, independent departure into the world — leaving parents behind.

— NBC News, "6 months to send-off: How to emotionally prepare your child (and yourself) for college," 25 Feb. 2018
Cons: That continuity with Pace could be a double-edged sword and also indicate there’s about a three-to-four year window to make something happen before the McCaskeys broom everyone.

— carlos monarrez, Detroit Free Press, "Breaking down pros and cons of Detroit Lions, NFL coaching vacancies," 4 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'double-edged sword.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.