1
2
as in curse
something that brings bad luck put the whammy on herself by publicly predicting that she would win the tennis tournament

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 whammy Nadkarni: The Denver Nuggets trading Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Cam Johnson was something of a triple whammy. Andrew Greif, NBC news, 3 July 2025 But according to what has now become received wisdom among industry observers, the pandemic-era triple whammy of Pixar originals, Luca, Soul, and Turning Red, skipping theaters effectively rewired audience expectations. Chris Lee, Vulture, 24 June 2025 The current bills, if approved, would represent a triple whammy against historic districts and a boon to developers. Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2025 Hauser gives this head-toss an element of ecstasy as his Larson enters into a kind of Big Board flow state, dodging whammies even as the producers lob psychological obstacles his way in an attempt to throw him off. Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for whammy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whammy
Noun
  • There was directness and purpose to his play, even in that short spell.
    Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The Netflix subsidiary behind the first and the third seasons of The Witcher was called Hocus Pocus Productions in a nod to the spells at the heart of the story.
    Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Some monks who were once forced off the island put a curse on it and everyone who ever took anything away from it.
    Sara Stridsberg September 15, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
  • When her curse begins to affect her physically, Amada travels to the Abyss to seek a cure from the Grand Warlock.
    Mia Sosa, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • An announcer jinx added to the Michigan Wolverines’ issues in their 24-13 loss against the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday night.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Second-year star: There will be no sophomore jinx for Bo Nix.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Whammy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whammy. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!