1
as in fraudulent
given to or marked by cheating and deception
willing to stoop to underhand methods in order to win
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others
the congressman's underhand attempt to slip several pork barrel items into the bill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in underhanded
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of underhand
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Nov. 2025
The inmate seems to show his butt to the group one more time, and did an underhand slapping motion.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for underhand
Adjective
Humans were seen tossing balls underhand or stepping up to test batting responses.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Nov. 2025
The inmate seems to show his butt to the group one more time, and did an underhand slapping motion.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for underhand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underhand
Adjective
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Transfers made after a dispute becomes foreseeable can be challenged as fraudulent conveyances.—
Ascend Agency,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
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Criminals look for confusion around tax rules, new programs or trending online advice and use that uncertainty to push fraudulent claims or steal personal information.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The documentary is built around the investigative work of journalists Katya Hakim and Denis Korotkov who picked up the mantle from three colleagues who were brutally slain while looking into Wagner’s clandestine activities in Africa.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
10 Mar. 2026
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On this occasion in 2018, Rodriguez and others in the group had received an anonymous tip of a possible clandestine cemetery on the outskirts of Cordoba.—
Kamala Thiagarajan,
NPR,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In the short term, the company focuses on immediate relief from rising annual maintenance fees, open loans, and the financial fallout from deceptive sales practices.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
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Tenet had sued Leapfrog last year over poor grades given to its Palm Beach Network hospitals, calling the grading process unfair and deceptive.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Alexander Csergo, a Sydney business consultant, faces up to 15 years in prison after being the second person to be convicted under Australian laws against covert interference and espionage.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Mar. 2026
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The program remained covert for decades and was publicly exposed in 1986 when technician Mordechai Vanunu leaked photographs and information about the site.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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So forget shady characters, or fake websites.—
Dave Lieber
Mar. 11,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Mar. 2026
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The inspiration for this pasta comes from the shady, mysterious forests of Northern California’s Redwood National and State Parks.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Get Ready: Katy Perry Has Released a Sneak Peek of Her New Song And the internet has receipts.—
Mehera Bonner,
Marie Claire,
15 Mar. 2017
Adjective
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Stand back and check for any shingles that look lifted, crooked, or curled.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
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Your mailbox is a small feature that can signal neglect if it’s dated, deteriorating, or crooked.—
Jane Kim,
The Spruce,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Herlihy goes undercover as Jost, even appearing on the Late Night with Seth Meyers show.—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Mar. 2026
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Nick warned Mindi that an undercover team disguised as tree surgeons were planting surveillance cameras around their house.—
Erin Moriarty,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underhand. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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