backhanded
adjective
back·hand·ed
ˈbak-ˈhan-dəd 
2
: using or made with a backhand
backhandedly
adverb
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
That’s not a backhanded compliment, that’s more … RUSSELL The reality.
—
Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
That sounds like a backhanded compliment, and the Scot’s technical quality shouldn’t be underestimated.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 18 May 2025
The post didn’t come with shade, a backhanded compliment, or some cryptic message.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
MacKinnon chased down the puck behind Anaheim’s net and snapped a backhanded pass through the legs of Saku Koivu to Jamie McGinn cutting to the net.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backhanded
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Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
That sounds like a backhanded compliment, and the Scot’s technical quality shouldn’t be underestimated.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 18 May 2025
The post didn’t come with shade, a backhanded compliment, or some cryptic message.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
MacKinnon chased down the puck behind Anaheim’s net and snapped a backhanded pass through the legs of Saku Koivu to Jamie McGinn cutting to the net.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backhanded
Cite this Entry
“Backhanded.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backhanded. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
backhanded
adjective
back·hand·ed
ˈbak-ˈhan-dəd
1
2
: not sincere
a backhanded compliment
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