backhanded

1 of 2

adjective

back·​hand·​ed ˈbak-ˈhan-dəd How to pronounce backhanded (audio)
Synonyms of backhanded
1
: indirect, devious
especially : sarcastic, insincere
a backhanded compliment [=an apparent compliment that is actually an insult]
2
: using or made with a backhand
backhandedly adverb

backhanded

2 of 2

adverb

back·​hand·​ed ˈbak-ˈhan-dəd How to pronounce backhanded (audio)

variant of backhand entry 3

past tense and past participle of backhand entry 4

: with a backhand

Synonyms of backhanded

Relevance

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of backhanded in a Sentence

Adjective We were disappointed by his backhanded apology. “You throw okay, for a girl” is a bit of a backhanded compliment
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
After corralling a loose puck along the boards, Hughes spun away from the blue line to keep the play onside, then feathered a backhanded pass into open ice with just the right amount of touch to set up Nico Sturm for a goal that tied the game. — Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 12 May 2026 The prediction market order in particular appeared to be a backhanded callout of the recent eyebrow-raising bets on the strikes in Iran and the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which some critics have cited as signs of potential insider trading. — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026 Byfield heaved a backhanded centering pass to the rear post for a redirection by Moore, the Kings’ first goal of the playoffs from someone other than Panarin. — Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026 He was helped by shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, who made a backhanded stop on a sharp grounder while playing in and threw out Mauricio Dubón for the second out to keep the automatic runner at third. — ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for backhanded

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1748, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of backhanded was in 1748

Rhymes for backhanded

See All Rhymes for backhanded

Browse Nearby Words

backhand
backhanded
backhanded compliment
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Backhanded.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backhanded. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

backhanded

adjective
back·​hand·​ed ˈbak-ˈhan-dəd How to pronounce backhanded (audio)
1
: backhand entry 2
2
: not sincere
a backhanded compliment
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of kith

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 28

Why do we say 'break a leg'?
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All