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
That decentralization, election experts said, is a two-edged sword.
From Reuters ● Oct. 24, 2022
From experience, they knew that for the next two hours Mr. Muhammad would wield his two-edged sword of truth.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
