DOUBLE WHAMMY Synonyms: 32 Similar and Opposite Words

double whammy

noun

Definition of double whammy

as in blow

informal a situation that is bad in two different ways; a situation in which two bad conditions exist at the same time or two bad things happen one after the other With the cold weather and the high cost of heating fuel, homeowners were hit with a double whammy this winter.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of double whammy The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’s cancellation is a double whammy, as CBS is scrapping The Late Show format for good. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 21 May 2026 The Philadelphia region is facing a double whammy of record-breaking heat mixed with the area's poor air quality. — Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 19 May 2026 But selling stocks in your 401(k) account and withdrawing cash packs a double whammy. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026 For Apple, this is a double whammy. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for double whammy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for double whammy

Noun

After Torres broke a tie with a two-run shot in the fifth, Clark delivered his big blow the following inning.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
That was a massive blow, and losing speedy rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell to another knee injury Wednesday didn’t help, either.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of blow

Noun

Established by Congress in 1990, TPS gives temporary protection to people who don’t feel safe returning to countries plagued by disaster or armed conflict such as El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua.

— Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 30 July 2026
That was, frankly, ridiculous, and our coverage said as much, arguing that this deep dive into one of Hollywood’s most notorious genre disasters deserved a much wider release.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 July 2026

Definition of disaster

Noun

The story follows exiled prince Rama (Ranbir Kapoor) and his consort Sita (Sai Pallavi) through exile into catastrophe, as Sita’s abduction at the hands of Ravana (Yash) sets in motion an epic war between righteousness and evil.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 July 2026
In fact, the war provided the exact lifeline that Putin needed to rescue him from economic catastrophe.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 30 July 2026

Definition of catastrophe

Noun

The film’s story is said to follow a young dancer at an elite ballet school who finally earns the lead in a prestigious recital, but her focus is shattered by a family tragedy.

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 30 July 2026
Our thoughts, prayers, and heartfelt condolences are with the families, friends, classmates, and everyone affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.

— Christa Swanson, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Definition of tragedy

Browse Nearby Words

double whammies

double whammy

double-wide

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Double whammy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/double%20whammy. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of double whammy

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

élan

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes