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.

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 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 The common denominator is an allergy to red meat, but some people get hit with the double whammy of meat and dairy. — Andy Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 25 July 2026 Standardized options included a double whammy of increasing premiums and deductibles or other patient cost-sharing. — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Peralta’s season is a double whammy. — Will Sammon, New York Times, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for double whammy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for double whammy

Noun

Meanwhile, Merz's power inside Germany has taken a blow after a string of state election defeats last month, including losses to the anti-migration and Russia-friendly Alternative for Germany party.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
The community suffered another blow the following month with the death of Sandy Steers, the executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit behind the livestream.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of blow

Noun

Although major questions remained unanswered on Thursday about the attacker and his motive, the story of ordinary passengers saving the FlyDubai flight from disaster has quickly become the stuff of legend.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
Second were unarmed passengers who subdued the armed attacker before one pulled back on the yoke to level the aircraft, drawing on knowledge from an air-disaster documentary.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of disaster

Noun

An institution built explicitly to neutralize biological catastrophes is now at the center of one.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
With climate change making natural disasters far more frequent, some consumers are turning to smaller off-grid electric networks to generate power in the event of a catastrophe.

— Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of catastrophe

Noun

His story does not add up; there is even more weirdness among extended family, and the tragedies pile up.

— Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce — or in this case, as an uncanny sort of San Francisco camp.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of tragedy

Browse Nearby Words

double whammies

double whammy

double-wide

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Double whammy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/double%20whammy. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of double whammy

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes