backhander

noun

back·​hand·​er ˈbak-ˈhan-dər 

1

British : bribe

2

: a backhand shot

Synonyms of backhander

• bribe

Examples of backhander in a Sentence

She hit a backhander into the net.

the customs official let us know that he might be prepared to look the other way if an appropriate backhander was slipped into his palm

Recent Examples on the Web

Anaheim ended Buffalo’s seven-game road winning streak when Tage Thompson couldn’t keep in the puck in the Ducks’ zone and Terry held on a 2-on-0 break to score on a backhander. —Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026

Anaheim ended Buffalo's seven-game road winning streak when Tage Thompson couldn't keep in the puck in the Ducks' zone and Terry held on a 2-on-0 break to score on a backhander. —CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026

Staying just onside, Pastrnak dished to an onrushing McAvoy, who attacked the net with speed and tucked a backhander past Darcy Kuemper for the win. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026

Minnesota managed just one shot on the man-advantage – a dangerous Vladimir Tarasenko backhander that Colorado goalie Scott Wedgewood turned aside. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for backhander

• bystander
• commander
• expander
• highlander
• leander
• meander
• philander
• brander
• candor
• dander
• gander
• grander