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
-
Runner-up Ishaan Gupta, 12, put up an impressive 25 words in the spell-off.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
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Harini Logan won the first spell-off, in 2022, by spelling 22 words in 90 seconds.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
29 May 2026
Noun
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As Rachel learns about the family curse that threatens her and her betrothed, Morrone digs in with emotional complexity and real grit.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
-
As Frankelda and Herneval grow closer, their bond becomes both a strength and a curse.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
28 May 2026
Noun
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After reading your recent diatribe likening Bo Nix’s ankle, Cale Makar’s shoulder and Nathan MacKinnon’s knee to a Billy Goat-esque jinx, my fingers almost fell off from playing the world’s smallest violin for hours on end.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Whammy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whammy. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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