1
as in dual
consisting of two members or parts that are usually joined
the double-edged purpose of the sales promotion is to clear out existing stock and to attract new customers
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
her double-edged remark that she hoped that I ultimately got what I deserved
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Recent Examples of double-edged
The movie’s Spanish title could also be translated as The Thaw, as fitting and double-edged as The Meltdown, but with a slightly different slant, as in Lina’s eventual warming to Inés.
—
Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
The blade was at least ten inches long and double-edged, honed on one side with a wavy scalloped finish, the other a jagged toothing like a lumberjack’s saw.
—Chang-Rae Lee, New Yorker, 3 May 2026
To call a musician a virtuoso can be double-edged.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
There, too, his advocacy is double-edged.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
Given the fact that more than 20 of her rapists are still roaming free, this fame may be double-edged.
—Gaby Wood, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2026
However, trust is double-edged.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Putin boasts of Russia’s record-low 2.3% unemployment rate, but this sword is double-edged.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025
For Eisenberg’s film, the decision is double-edged: from the perspective of the characters, exceptional demands are placed on the dialogue to make their past come to life, but the dialogue isn’t sufficiently rich or imaginative to meet the challenge.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2026
The blade was at least ten inches long and double-edged, honed on one side with a wavy scalloped finish, the other a jagged toothing like a lumberjack’s saw.
—Chang-Rae Lee, New Yorker, 3 May 2026
To call a musician a virtuoso can be double-edged.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
There, too, his advocacy is double-edged.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
Given the fact that more than 20 of her rapists are still roaming free, this fame may be double-edged.
—Gaby Wood, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2026
However, trust is double-edged.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Putin boasts of Russia’s record-low 2.3% unemployment rate, but this sword is double-edged.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025
For Eisenberg’s film, the decision is double-edged: from the perspective of the characters, exceptional demands are placed on the dialogue to make their past come to life, but the dialogue isn’t sufficiently rich or imaginative to meet the challenge.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for double-edged
Adjective
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Vessels of Other Worlds is a connected dual-city exhibition spanning two continents that explores the cycle of life, Buddhist beliefs, Catholic rituals, water symbolism and futuristic imagery.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
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Under Brown, dual-center minutes were scarce — at least until the Knicks fell behind 2-1 in the first round against Atlanta.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
16 May 2026
Adjective
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Text messages in court records show a brief and ambiguous exchange between McCluskie and Williamson that backs that up.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
The apparent conflict highlights the ambiguous rules around recall status and its relevance in a trial that’s been peppered with globe-trotting billionaires.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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At the core of quantum computing are quantum bits, or qubits, that can store multiple values simultaneously, unlike binary bits that can only be a 0 or a 1.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
-
Why the Current Debate is Stuck Too often, the debate has been framed as a binary choice between sweeping regulation and unrestricted operation, as though there were no middle ground, and with too little attention given to how proposals might conflict with existing law.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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Thousands of fans have also been engaging with Nikki’s increasingly obsessive, unsettling texts, voice notes and special deliveries after encountering cryptic billboards across Los Angeles and New York, each featuring her obsessive messages alongside a phone number inviting them to reach out.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
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The film, which stars Hannah Einbinder as a filmmaker tasked with revamping a tired summer camp horror franchise with its cryptic lead played by Gillian Anderson in tow, is set to make its way to theaters this August.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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His twin brother, Jarron Collins, who also played in the NBA, accepted on Collins’ behalf.—
Daniel S. Levine,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
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The next day, we are met with twin indignities, setting up for an après-ski party and the arrival of Sabrina in what might be her dumbest outfit yet.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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District leaders make up the Brooklyn Democratic Party’s obscure but powerful governing body that largely controls selecting judges, party priorities, and spending.—
Adam Davis,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
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Joined by her septet and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Steven Reineke, Joy performed a medley of tunes — her own originals as well as standards and more obscure selections within the vocal jazz canon — to rapturous applause.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Baha Mar is large in stature, sure—and Rosewood is part of a three-hotel complex across the bay from Atlantis, which looms large and brooding over its own end of the water as everything Baha Mar does not want to be—dated, dark, and reminiscent of Spring Break Past.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
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Also fascinating were their contrasting likenesses, dark against light housed in the same being, a human eclipse.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Double-edged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/double-edged. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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