whipsaw

1 of 2

noun

whip·​saw ˈ(h)wip-ˌsȯ 

: a narrow pit saw averaging 5 to 7¹/₂ feet (1.5 to 2.3 meters) in length

whipsaw

2 of 2

verb

whipsawed; whipsawing; whipsaws

transitive verb

1

: to saw with a whipsaw

2

: to beset or victimize in two opposite ways at once, by a two-phase operation, or by the collusive action of two opponents

wage earners were whipsawed by inflation and high taxes

Did you know?

A whipsaw is a type of hand-powered saw worked by two people, one of whom stands on or above the log being sawed and the other below it, usually in a pit. The tool dates back to the 15th century, but it was not until the 19th century that anyone thought to use the saw's name figuratively to describe situations in which someone or something is doubly "cut," or hurt. Today, the word is commonly used when discussing financial crises or losses as well as ideological changes (as in government policy) that might "cut."

Examples of whipsaw in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

At this point, having navigated more than six months of whipsaw tariff policies, the question of the tariffs’ legality is irrelevant for some businesses. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025

The whipsaw between the two leaves a mark, even after the stage or set is abandoned. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025

Verb

Somewhere in the whipsawing nature of this character is a truth about artistic creation, but also about depression. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025

Household balance sheets have been whipsawed by stubbornly high prices on necessities as well as steeper borrowing costs on credit cards and auto loans. —Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for whipsaw

• aa
• aha
• bashaw
• bradshaw
• byelaw
• bylaw
• chainsaw
• cheraw
• coleslaw
• crenshaw
• dada
• esau

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