double-edged sword

noun

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

Examples of double-edged sword in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The social embeddedness of informal work is a double-edged sword. — Hannah J. Dawson, Quartz, 15 June 2021 While cutting expenses and reducing the time required for production, this natural, technological evolution is a double-edged sword. — David Balaban, Forbes, 11 June 2021 The fact that commitment to a new direction is crucial to motivating employees to embrace change also suggests that upper management’s paranoia about new disruptive technologies can be a double-edged sword. — Iese Business School, Forbes, 31 May 2021 The mass media's interest in UFOs has often been a double-edged sword, fueling legitimate interest in the topic while sensationalizing it to sell tickets or boost ratings. — NBC News, 27 May 2021 Also, species-specific technology is a double-edged sword. — Donavyn Coffey, Scientific American, 14 May 2021 But this remarkable dynamism, some researchers argue, is a double-edged sword. — New York Times, 27 Apr. 2021 Being one of the only foreigners visiting Sri Lanka was a double-edged sword. — Lilit Marcus, CNN, 22 Apr. 2021 That lack of rain is a double-edged sword this time of year, with pollen creeping back up into the extreme range. — Henri Hollis, ajc, 17 Apr. 2021

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.

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Last Updated

30 Jun 2021

Cite this Entry

“Double-edged sword.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double-edged%20sword. Accessed 2 Jul. 2021.

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