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

Putting aside the whipsaw effect of recent tariff moves, the biggest problem plaguing the market in recent weeks is artificial intelligence.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

In the near term, precious metals could see more volatile price action, with whipsaw moves likely to be driven by positioning and thin liquidity rather than a fundamental narrative, Sucden Financial writes in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 30, 2025

Running along the trails that whipsaw through the oak forests of the Palo Alto hills , I was hit with a musky, skunky smell that made the hair on my neck stand up.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2024

I've been in on good ground with pardners I've staked And I thought they were square, till I found They were trying to cross me, the miserable pups, And whipsaw me out of my ground.

From Rhymes of a Roughneck by O'Cotter, Pat