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

A Santa rally is not guaranteed, and if 2025 has taught investors anything—with whipsaws from tariffs, artificial intelligence, and more—it is to expect the unexpected.

From Barron's

These can be short-lived signals subject to whipsaws, but for now they are bearish on the stock market.

From MarketWatch

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

SoftBank’s whipsawing share price likely reflects investors’ shifting sentiment about artificial intelligence and the company’s bets in the space.

From The Wall Street Journal

An upgrade with lower price target is unusual, but MP stock has been whipsawed by U.S.-Chinese trade tensions.

From Barron's