DOUBLE WHAMMY Synonyms: 32 Similar and Opposite Words

double whammy

noun

Definition of double whammy

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.

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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 trend of hospitals asking for money up front represents a double whammy for patients. — Julie Appleby, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 The double whammy of new classes and high temps is all the more reason to treat yourself — or the back-to-schooler in your life — at one of these incredible new ice cream and gelato destinations around the region. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026 Radio got hit with a double whammy of bad news last week, affecting both AM and FM bands. — Richard Wagoner, Daily News, 10 Aug. 2026 But a renter has probably absorbed years of increases, while new homebuyers face the double whammy of steep prices and high borrowing costs. — Brandy Hadley, Fortune, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for double whammy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for double whammy

Noun

Just when Kansas City appeared to be building momentum toward a Sunday night comeback, kicker Harrison Butker missed his second attempt of the night, dealing another blow to the Chiefs’ hopes.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026
Rutgers starting quarterback Dylan Lonergan left after sustaining a blow to the head 6 minutes, 25 seconds into the first quarter and didn’t return.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of blow

Noun

Residents, meanwhile, can give firefighters the best shot at stopping a potential disaster by clearing flammable vegetation in their yards and fire-hardening their homes.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
The goal, ultimately, is not to eat our way out of an ecological disaster.

— Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of disaster

Noun

Without an authoritative accounting, Eisenkot argues, the country cannot fully reckon with the catastrophe.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026
Retreating Iraqi forces set fire to hundreds of oil wells in Kuwait creating an environmental catastrophe felt throughout the Gulf.

— Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of catastrophe

Noun

But there is an important distinction between reporting a tragedy and allowing that tragedy to define an entire industry.

— Dennis Speigel, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
The destruction of South Korea’s memory chip fabs would compound this tragedy and cripple the global economy.

— Dan Blumenthal, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of tragedy

Browse Nearby Words

double whammies

double whammy

double-wide

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Style

“Double whammy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/double%20whammy. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of double whammy

noun

Example Sentences

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