double-edged sword
noun
: 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
Linda ConnorsExamples of double-edged sword in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And then there is the election that has turned some of Janey’s former allies into her competitors and the mayor’s office into a coveted but double-edged sword.
—BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2021
But the bountiful precipitation has also been a double-edged sword, creating a political challenge for negotiators trying to agree on painful cuts, according to analysts following the talks.
—Joshua Partlow, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Feb. 2023
As Damian explains, ambition can be a double-edged sword.
—Gen Handley, SPIN, 27 Jan. 2023
This is essential for any organization, small or large, as experience can often be a double-edged sword.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023
This is a double-edged sword, however, as the large torrent of information and data can be hard to parse through.
—Dallas News, 18 Jan. 2023
Skinamarink leaking online was a double-edged sword, according to Ball.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 13 Jan. 2023
This popularity, experts say, can be a double-edged sword.
—Faith Karimi, CNN, 7 Jan. 2023
BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2021
But the bountiful precipitation has also been a double-edged sword, creating a political challenge for negotiators trying to agree on painful cuts, according to analysts following the talks.
—Joshua Partlow, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Feb. 2023
As Damian explains, ambition can be a double-edged sword.
—Gen Handley, SPIN, 27 Jan. 2023
This is essential for any organization, small or large, as experience can often be a double-edged sword.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023
This is a double-edged sword, however, as the large torrent of information and data can be hard to parse through.
—Dallas News, 18 Jan. 2023
Skinamarink leaking online was a double-edged sword, according to Ball.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 13 Jan. 2023
This popularity, experts say, can be a double-edged sword.
—Faith Karimi, CNN, 7 Jan. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'double-edged sword.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Double-edged sword.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/double-edged%20sword. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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