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.
Our water system’s decentralized, fragmented nature, perhaps a bit like our electoral system, is a double-edged sword, inasmuch as its vulnerabilities are atomized—at least a single hacker can’t contaminate all the water in the country.
From Slate ● Aug. 19, 2026
"In California, atmospheric rivers are a double-edged sword," Mimi said.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026
The double-edged sword of fandom hasn’t stopped Wolfhard or his musically-inclined “Stranger Things” co-stars from pursuing this path.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
Luria sees Hynix’s U.S. listing as a double-edged sword for Micron, which is a U.S. pure play on memory trends.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 25, 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.
