double whammy

Definition of double whammynext
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 Grocery supply chains Other grocery goods, such as fresh produce, which have more complex supply chains and require refrigeration throughout, could be hit with a double whammy of cost increases. Garrett Downs, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026 After the Chicago Bears were hit with a double whammy on the offensive line, Ben Johnson said discussions about left tackle with GM Ryan Poles have been ongoing. Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026 His livestock and the drought were a double whammy on the fragile vegetation, thinning it out to untenable levels. Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026 The double whammy has wreaked havoc on many parts of the islands. Jen Murphy, Outside, 24 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for double whammy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for double whammy
Noun
  • Arsenal’s title challenge is back on track, Liverpool have been dealt a potentially season-defining injury blow, and Fantasy Premier League managers now have just four Gameweeks left to make their mark.
    Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The loss of Kidal represents a significant blow to Russia’s credibility in Mali, where the military junta has relied on mercenaries to combat Islamic extremism.
    Wilson Mcmakin, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Chernobyl disaster is the worst nuclear power plant accident ever in terms of death toll and cost.
    Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Satellite connectivity can act as a backup during disasters like hurricanes or wildfires.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Are those the exact services a family needs and can rely on to avoid tragedy?
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The investigation falls amid a variety of other probes into the tragedy at Camp Mystic, including as part of lawsuits filed by families against the camp’s leaders.
    Ashley Killough, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Double whammy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/double%20whammy. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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