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
Being pregnant and also having cancer is a double whammy.
—
Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Younger Americans, exposed to the double whammy of high student debt and low entry-level hiring, are under even more financial pressure.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
That’s the double whammy at play here.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Since trees absorb carbon dioxide, the most abundant greenhouse gas, cutting them to then raise cattle is a double whammy.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for double whammy
Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Younger Americans, exposed to the double whammy of high student debt and low entry-level hiring, are under even more financial pressure.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
That’s the double whammy at play here.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Since trees absorb carbon dioxide, the most abundant greenhouse gas, cutting them to then raise cattle is a double whammy.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for double whammy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for double whammy
Noun
-
The heist deals a huge blow to one of the most popular museums in the world, which houses valuable works like Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa and has drawn some 9 million visitors in recent years.—
NPR,
NPR,
20 Oct. 2025
-
So, after scans revealed a back injury in July, to be without Cummins’ captaincy for any length of time would represent a considerable blow to his side’s Ashes hopes.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Because of its proximity to the stadium, Panoramic Hill is often first in line for disaster preparedness measures, including the thinning of brush and eucalyptus trees on the hill, Berkeley resident Kevin Casey said.—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
And why this all might be a financial and environmental disaster waiting to happen.—
NPR,
NPR,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Kirk's murder is a tragedy – as is any murder.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Here’s how a community dispute escalated into a deadly tragedy.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Double whammy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/double%20whammy. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share