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 double whammy has wreaked havoc on many parts of the islands.
—
Jen Murphy, Outside, 24 Mar. 2026
And those could raise prices beyond the gas pump for consumers and businesses, creating an inflation double whammy.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 17 Mar. 2026
Heavy snow followed by bitter cold hit Minnesotans with a double whammy of winter.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Thanks to some surprising results in the BAFTAs’ acting races, most major categories remain in flux ahead of the weekend’s double whammy.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for double whammy
Jen Murphy, Outside, 24 Mar. 2026
And those could raise prices beyond the gas pump for consumers and businesses, creating an inflation double whammy.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 17 Mar. 2026
Heavy snow followed by bitter cold hit Minnesotans with a double whammy of winter.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Thanks to some surprising results in the BAFTAs’ acting races, most major categories remain in flux ahead of the weekend’s double whammy.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for double whammy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for double whammy
Noun
-
The development marks a blow to Washington’s support for Orban’s reelection and comes after Magyar’s Tisza party was viewed as the favorite to win in the April 12 election, holding a 10-point lead over the ruling Fidesz party, according to Politico’s polling analysis.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Freiburg and Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi received a blow to his knee late in the game and needed support to walk off the field afterward.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
It’s been roughly 11 months since the Knicks and Celtics met in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs last season, a series ending in disaster for the Celtics, who were favored to beat the Knicks before blowing consecutive 20-point leads to open the semifinals.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The disaster declaration will cover Kankakee, Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, Livingston, and Will counties.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In January 2025, 41-year-old Plaza was struck by tragedy when her husband was found dead by suicide inside his Los Angeles home.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Deadly boat tragedies are common in the central African country, where late-night travels and overcrowded vessels are often blamed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Double whammy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/double%20whammy. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
