1
as in spell
a spoken word or set of words believed to have magic power
if you tell anyone about this, I swear I'll put the whammy on you
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whammy
Stealing him away from a division rival could also hit as a double-whammy for a Patriots offense looking to power its run game and steal from Buffalo’s.
—
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Sounds like a double-whammy downer.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
Yes, the quadruple whammy of high food costs, a severe immigrant labor shortage, spiraling rents and shrinking waistlines drove some restaurants to close.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Dec. 2025
The double-whammy of a late start time and sunset coming an hour earlier means many runners are finishing in near darkness.
—Kristen Geil, Outside, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whammy
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Sounds like a double-whammy downer.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
Yes, the quadruple whammy of high food costs, a severe immigrant labor shortage, spiraling rents and shrinking waistlines drove some restaurants to close.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Dec. 2025
The double-whammy of a late start time and sunset coming an hour earlier means many runners are finishing in near darkness.
—Kristen Geil, Outside, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whammy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whammy
Noun
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After opting against pursuing a deal for Mike Maignan last summer, Chelsea have stuck with Robert Sanchez as No 1 — bar a brief spell where Filip Jorgensen usurped him in March.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
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That day, a hot spell pushed temperatures to 100 degrees in some parts of the region, The Guardian reported.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
21 May 2026
Noun
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As words have incantatory power to shift elements of fate, as well as matters of the heart, this project calls forward questions around an alleged family curse from Nagasaki and the writing process as its own counter-spell.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
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Press conferences can be a blessing and a curse for football managers.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
Noun
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Petteys, the Big East Freshman of the Year in 2025, has made the classic leap as a sophomore, with no sign of a jinx or slump that sometimes comes with having already accomplished something special.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
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Will any of this year's crop break the jinx on March 15?—
Marco della Cava,
USA Today,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whammy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whammy. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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