underhanded

1 of 2

adverb

un·​der·​hand·​ed ˌən-dər-ˈhan-dəd How to pronounce underhanded (audio)

underhanded

2 of 2

adjective

: marked by secrecy, chicanery, and deception : not honest and aboveboard : sly
an underhanded attempt to gain power
underhandedly adverb
underhandedness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for underhanded

secret, covert, stealthy, furtive, clandestine, surreptitious, underhanded mean done without attracting observation.

secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.

covert intelligence operations

stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered.

a clandestine meeting of conspirators

surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation of custom, law, or authority.

the surreptitious stockpiling of weapons

underhanded stresses fraud or deception.

an underhanded trick

Examples of underhanded in a Sentence

Adjective the commercial is a part of an underhanded PR campaign to whitewash the company's environmental record an underhanded attempt at infiltrating the other party's headquarters
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.
Adjective
The exchange also constituted a bit of underhanded score-settling, as Franklin acknowledged. Stacy Schiff, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025 In May 1961, Welch alleged that a CBS reporter had used underhanded tactics to interview him against his wishes, resulting in footage that made the Birch leader look cagey and defensive. Time, 7 Oct. 2025 Amidst fierce competition and underhanded tactics from rivals, the film celebrates their resilience and the strength of their community. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025 An underhanded minority are adapting to laxer journal policies by using artificial intelligence to accelerate their research pipeline. Thomas Morgan, The Conversation, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for underhanded

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

circa 1822, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of underhanded was circa 1822

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Cite this Entry

“Underhanded.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underhanded. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

underhanded

adjective or adverb
un·​der·​hand·​ed
ˌən-dər-ˈhan-dəd
underhandedly adverb
underhandedness noun

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