double-edged
Benefits and harms
Double-edged describes something with two cutting edges, like a sword sharpened on both sides.
The figurative sense dominates: a double-edged quality cuts both ways, offering benefits that come with corresponding risks or drawbacks.
Social media is double-edged—it connects people but also spreads misinformation.
A double-edged compliment carries an insult within the praise.
Seemingly absurd truth
- dilemmaForced choice between undesirables
- ambivalenceConflicting emotions coexisting
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
- dichotomyDivision into contrasting parts
contradiction · juxtaposition · tension · polarity · counterpoint · antithesis · oxymoron · incongruity
Hilted fighting blade
- razorBlade for removing hair
- knifeSharp cutting utensil
- scalpelPrecise surgical knife
- daggerShort pointed stabbing blade
cutlass · saber · rapier · stiletto · lance · sharpened · honed · whetted
Possibility of harm
- benefitAdvantage or gain
- drawbackUnfavorable feature or flaw
- pitfallHidden danger or drawback
- advantageFavorable position or circumstance
disadvantage · consequence · compromise · cost · gamble · liability · exposure · downside
paradox
Seemingly absurd truth
- dilemmaForced choice between undesirables
- ambivalenceConflicting emotions coexisting
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
dichotomy · contradiction · juxtaposition · tension · polarity · counterpoint · antithesis · oxymoron · incongruity · counterintuitive
sword
Hilted fighting blade
dagger · cutlass · saber · rapier · stiletto · lance · sharpened · honed · whetted · keen
risk
Possibility of harm
advantage · disadvantage · consequence · compromise · cost · gamble · liability · exposure · downside · upside
- weapon traitsaccuracy, damage, range, recoil, durability
- blade qualitiessharp, dull, blunt, honed, serrated
- blade typesdrop point, spear point, tanto, sheepsfoot, needle point
- swordssword, sabres, longsword, rapier, saber
double-edgedunambiguous
Allowing single interpretation only
clear-cut · straightforward · certain · unequivocal · black-and-white
double-edgedsingle-edged
Sharpened on one face
one-sided · single · unpaired · unilateral · singular
edge, double, edged, redouble, doublet, edger, doublespeak, double-edged sword