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.
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Recent Examples of double whammy
But running is also a high-impact sport, which creates a bit of a double whammy—literally.
—
Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 21 July 2025
Parts of the Southeast were facing a double whammy as a tropical rainstorm sweeps across Central Florida followed by a tropical depression forecast to make landfall Thursday in Louisiana, AccuWeather hurricane experts said.
—John Bacon, USA Today, 16 July 2025
But after scoring nine points, all on 3-pointers, in the first seven minutes of the biggest game in franchise history, Haliburton’s crash to the floor and sudden departure created a double whammy for the Pacers.
—Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
But after scoring nine points, all on 3-pointers, in the first seven minutes of the biggest game in franchise history, Haliburton’s crash to the floor and sudden departure created a double whammy for Indiana.
—Michael Marot, Twin Cities, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for double whammy
Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 21 July 2025
Parts of the Southeast were facing a double whammy as a tropical rainstorm sweeps across Central Florida followed by a tropical depression forecast to make landfall Thursday in Louisiana, AccuWeather hurricane experts said.
—John Bacon, USA Today, 16 July 2025
But after scoring nine points, all on 3-pointers, in the first seven minutes of the biggest game in franchise history, Haliburton’s crash to the floor and sudden departure created a double whammy for the Pacers.
—Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
But after scoring nine points, all on 3-pointers, in the first seven minutes of the biggest game in franchise history, Haliburton’s crash to the floor and sudden departure created a double whammy for Indiana.
—Michael Marot, Twin Cities, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for double whammy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for double whammy
Noun
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Then Butker missed the extra point — a deflating moment and a blow to what had been growing momentum.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
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The hammer blow was last week's dismissal by the Constitutional Court of Thaksin's daughter and protege Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the sixth prime minister from or backed by the Shinawatra family to be removed by the military or judiciary.—
Panarat Thepgumpanat,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Recently published studies about people affected by the Maui and Los Angeles fires showed that beyond affecting heart and lung function and interrupting access to medical care, these climate disasters have led to higher rates of depression and even suicide.—
Lahari Vuppaladhadiam,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
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As someone who evacuated but was still directly impacted by the storm, Shepard used her lived experience to influence her research on colonial disasters.—
Essence,
Essence,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Watts said the child welfare agency also will maintain collaboration with public health officials, law enforcement and treatment providers to prevent tragedies connected to fentanyl and other drugs.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
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Here is the emphasis on the hardscrabble beginnings and obstacles to be overcome, here is the recognition of a truly raw but once-in-a-lifetime talent that converts the nonbelivers, here are the early wins and the training montages and the tragedies and the comebacks.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Double whammy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/double%20whammy. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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