two-edged
Americanadjective
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having two edges, as a sword.
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cutting or effective both ways.
adjective
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having two cutting edges
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(esp of a remark) having two interpretations, such as she looks nice when she smiles
Etymology
Origin of two-edged
First recorded in 1520–30
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.
Demonstrating why hyperbole is a two-edged device, a headline in 2018 quipped that fans should get ready to hate sports due to legalized gambling.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 5, 2025
"Like everything, tech has a dark side. It is a two-edged sword," says veteran Silicon Valley watcher, Prof Mike Malone.
From BBC ● Feb. 9, 2024
While the monarchy is a symbol of Britain’s history, that can be a two-edged sword.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 6, 2024
OK, that can be admirable but it’s a dangerous two-edged sword.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 27, 2023
There’s more about these two-edged words in the chapter on plurals, pages 21-24.
From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner
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.
