backhanded

adjective

back·​hand·​ed ˈbak-ˈhan-dəd 

1

: indirect, devious

especially : sarcastic

a backhanded compliment

2

: using or made with a backhand

backhandedly adverb

Synonyms

• double
• fake
• lip
• pretended
• hypocritical
• insincere
• strained
• superficial
• phoney
• hollow
• meaningless

Examples of backhanded in a Sentence

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

MacKinnon took the puck off the wall behind the Boston net and snapped a backhanded pass to Lehkonen for a one-timer and a pretty goal. —Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 25 Oct. 2025

The best came on a strong drive down the left wing and a sweet backhanded feed from Laba to Raddysh in the third period. —Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025

This biting insult about nails Cristal is queen of the backhanded compliment. —Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025

Still, Pet Sematary is surprisingly, enjoyably watchable, which is a bit of a backhanded compliment for an adaptation of something so dark. —James Grebey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing backhanded

• backhanded compliment

Rhymes for backhanded

• commanded
• demanded
• disbanded
• expanded
• misbranded
• remanded
• unbranded
• banded
• branded
• candid
• handed
• landed

Kids Definition

backhanded

adjective

back·​hand·​ed ˈbak-ˈhan-dəd 

1

: backhand entry 2

2

: not sincere

a backhanded compliment