two-edged
Americanadjective
-
having two edges, as a sword.
-
cutting or effective both ways.
adjective
-
having two cutting edges
-
(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
That decentralization, election experts said, is a two-edged sword.
From Reuters ● Oct. 24, 2022
“It’s a two-edged sword. How do you maintain the culture?” she said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 28, 2021
She was mistress of all the ways of warfare, unexcelled with the javelin and the two-edged ax as well as with the bow.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
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.
