sandbag

1 of 2

noun

sand·​bag ˈsan(d)-ˌbag How to pronounce sandbag (audio)
: a bag filled with sand and used in fortifications, as ballast, or as a weapon

sandbag

2 of 2

verb

sandbagged; sandbagging; sandbags

transitive verb

1
: to bank, stop up, or weight with sandbags
2
a
: to hit or stun with or as if with a sandbag
b
: to treat unfairly or harshly
c
: to coerce by crude means
are raiding the Treasury and sandbagging the governmentC. W. Ferguson
d
: to conceal or misrepresent one's true position, potential, or intent especially in order to gain an advantage over

intransitive verb

: to hide the truth about oneself so as to gain an advantage over another
sandbagger noun

Did you know?

How much nuance is there in a bag of sand? Here’s the nitty-gritty: when sandbag was first established as a verb in the 1800s, it meant (quite understandably) “to bank, stop up, or weight with sandbags,” but since then it has taken on several figurative meanings, some more obvious than others. First came the simple (and decidedly unfriendly in application) metaphorical extension: “to hit or stun as if with a sandbag.” Less literal uses followed, including “to treat unfairly or harshly” and “to coerce by crude means.” By the mid-20th century, sandbag was being used by poker players to describe the act of pretending a strong hand is actually weak, in order to draw other players into raising the bet. This use of sandbag has since evolved to refer to a general strategy of misrepresenting one’s intentions or abilities in order to gain some sort of advantage.

Examples of sandbag in a Sentence

Verb He claimed he was playing badly because of an injury, but I think he was sandbagging. I think he was sandbagging us.
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.
Noun
The strategic sandbag game will cover the intermediate and elite singles facing off one-on-one, leading up to the finals broadcast. Lauren-Kennedy Brown, Charlotte Observer, 20 June 2025 With many waterways expected to crest at major flood stage over the weekend, residents of river towns in Arkansas, Missouri and beyond were racing to fill up sandbags. The New York Times, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
Where was this sense of urgency when the mullahs were attempting to deceive U.N. inspectors while sandbagging U.S. efforts to diplomatically scuttle the country’s nuclear efforts? Editorial, Boston Herald, 21 June 2025 This is done to prevent teams from sandbagging in the races that lead up to their most important race of the year As the newest and least competitive car, the Valkyrie gets the biggest break, with a minimum weight of just 2,271 lbs (1,030 kg) and a maximum power of 697 hp (520 kW). ArsTechnica, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sandbag

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1561, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1838, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sandbag was circa 1561

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Cite this Entry

“Sandbag.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sandbag. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

sandbag

noun
sand·​bag
ˈsan(d)-ˌbag
: a bag filled with sand
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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