un·der·hand
ˈən-dər-ˌhand 
1
a
: in a clandestine manner
b
archaic
: in a quiet or unobtrusive manner
2
: with an underhand motion
bowl underhand
pitch underhand
1
: underhanded
You have not attempted to take any underhand advantage …—
Wilkie Collins
Wilkie Collins2
: done so as to evade notice
3
: made with the hand brought forward and up from below the shoulder level
an underhand serve
Examples of underhand in a Sentence
Adjective
willing to stoop to underhand methods in order to win
the congressman's underhand attempt to slip several pork barrel items into the bill
Recent Examples on the Web
Anthony Gharib, USA TODAY, 13 June 2023
Pitchers tossed underhand and no one wore gloves yet, resulting in smarting pain in the hands of catchers and first basemen.
—Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 29 Mar. 2023
Greg Presto, Outside, 7 Jan. 2026
One of the videos showed Stevens flipping an underhand pass to Tatum, who then drove past two assistant coaches for a dunk.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underhand
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Adverb
Each team will alternate tossing the bean bag underhand onto the board until all four bean bags are thrown.
—Anthony Gharib, USA TODAY, 13 June 2023
Pitchers tossed underhand and no one wore gloves yet, resulting in smarting pain in the hands of catchers and first basemen.
—Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 29 Mar. 2023
Adjective
Pulling Exercises Resistance Band–Assisted Pull-Up Place one foot inside the band and grip the bar with an overhand or underhand grip, with your hands about shoulder-width apart.
—Greg Presto, Outside, 7 Jan. 2026
One of the videos showed Stevens flipping an underhand pass to Tatum, who then drove past two assistant coaches for a dunk.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for underhand
Cite this Entry
“Underhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underhand. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
underhand
1 of 2 adverb
un·der·hand
ˈən-dər-ˌhand
1
: in an underhand or secret manner
2
: with an underhand motion
throw underhand
underhand
2 of 2 adjective1
: done in secret or so as to deceive : sly
underhand methods
2
: performed with the hand kept below the level of the shoulder
an underhand pitch
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