double-edged
Americanadjective
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having two cutting edges, as a razor blade.
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capable of acting two ways or having opposite effects.
a double-edged argument.
adjective
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acting in two ways; having a dual effect
a double-edged law
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(of a remark, argument, etc) having two possible interpretations, esp applicable both for and against or being really malicious though apparently innocuous
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(of a sword, knife, etc) having a cutting edge on either side of the blade
Etymology
Origin of double-edged
First recorded in 1545–55
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Gellar wields a double-edged sword: “Buffy” helped shape the landscape of modern TV, but it’s because the show was and is so popular that the role sticks to her no matter where she goes.
From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026
This means that virtual communication is a double-edged sword.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026
Popularity on Wall Street is a double-edged sword.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 16, 2026
For him, higher beef prices have been a double-edged sword.
From Barron's • Feb. 15, 2026
Hades drew his sword, a double-edged Stygian blade etched with silver.
From "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
