whipsaw

American  

[hwip-saw, wip-] / ˈʰwɪpˌsɔ, ˈwɪp- /

noun

1. a saw for two persons, as a pitsaw, used to divide timbers lengthwise.

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verb (used with object)

whipsawed, whipsawed, whipsawn, whipsawing

1. to cut with a whipsaw.

2. to win two bets from (a person) at one turn or play, as at faro.

3. to subject to two opposing forces at the same time.

   The real-estate market has been whipsawed by high interest rates and unemployment.

verb (used without object)

whipsawed, whipsawed, whipsawn, whipsawing

1. (of a trailer, railroad car, etc.) to swing suddenly to the right or left, as in rounding a sharp curve at high speed.

whipsaw British  

/ ˈwɪpˌsɔː /

noun

1. any saw with a flexible blade, such as a bandsaw

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verb

1. to saw with a whipsaw

2. to defeat in two ways at once

Etymology

Origin of whipsaw

First recorded in 1530–40; whip + saw ¹

Example Sentences

The market has been hit by whipsaw moves, underscoring how investors are struggling to price in the financial implications of the geopolitical shock.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 4, 2026

Fears and uncertainty about the impact artificial intelligence will have on the U.S. economy, workforce, and stocks have caused markets to whipsaw and continue to confuse investors.

From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index was up 0.2%, with tech stock swings making the HS Tech index whipsaw.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

Officials have long warned that continued climate change could whipsaw California between precipitation extremes, with the state trending toward aridity, interspersed with exceptionally wet years.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025

He was that kind of grass-hopper, Ag, to whipsaw you out of a hundred and then lend you five hundred, even if he had to rip the pelt off somebody else to get it.

From Red Saunders' Pets and Other Critters by Phillips, Henry Wallace