as in double
not being or expressing what one appears to be or express
"I'm amazed you did so well" is a bit of a backhanded compliment
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Recent Examples of backhanded
But, in a way, even this backlash is a backhanded recognition of the moment; the Administration, and its supporters in the fossil-fuel industry, clearly consider this the last possible moment to stifle the sun.
—
Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
Gagnon forced another ground ball and a fielder’s choice for the second out, and Faber made a backhanded stab at short and fired across the diamond to beat the runner and escape the inning.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2025
To Trump’s backhanded credit, that’s putting it mildly on all counts.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 31 May 2025
After his wife, Hailey Bieber, appeared looking happy, healthy, and gorgeous on the cover of the June 2025 issue of Vogue, Justin Bieber took to Instagram to congratulate the model on the achievement in a sort of a backhanded way.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for backhanded
Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
Gagnon forced another ground ball and a fielder’s choice for the second out, and Faber made a backhanded stab at short and fired across the diamond to beat the runner and escape the inning.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2025
To Trump’s backhanded credit, that’s putting it mildly on all counts.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 31 May 2025
After his wife, Hailey Bieber, appeared looking happy, healthy, and gorgeous on the cover of the June 2025 issue of Vogue, Justin Bieber took to Instagram to congratulate the model on the achievement in a sort of a backhanded way.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for backhanded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backhanded
Adjective
-
James Watson, who co-discovered the double-helix structure of DNA in 1953, has died at age 97.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Using what was known about biology at the time and X-ray images, the two determined that DNA had a double-helix structure - like a twisted ladder, with each rung made up of a pair of chemicals.—
Reuters,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Cybercriminals often use fake promotional emails or ads that look like real store offers.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The cohost brought up the astronaut during a discussion of Kim Kardashian's claim that the moon landing was fake.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The pop of color offers a shimmer-free (rare!) means of warming up a wedding look and works equally well at lip level.—
Calin Van Paris,
Vogue,
12 Aug. 2025
-
By After Testing Over 30 Best Sellers By Siena Gagliano Unlike balms, which can make lip color slide around, a primer locks it in while keeping lips soft and comfortable.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Advertisement Of course, there is such a thing as being too bad—and too hypocritical.—
Shadi Hamid,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
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The anti-American side focuses exclusively on the tragedies, usually makes slavery the chief argument for the prosecution, and dismisses the triumphs as hypocritical rhetoric.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Michelle comes across as an outright villain at first, talking almost exclusively in chilly, insincere corporate speak and treating her employees with passive-aggressive disregard.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
31 Oct. 2025
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However, Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias, felt Lorincz’s courtroom apology was insincere.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Rookie first-round draft pick Nique Clifford has been upgraded to questionable after missing the past four games with a strained right hamstring.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Father Mother Sister Brother tells the story of estranged siblings who reunite after years apart and are forced to confront unresolved tensions and reevaluate their strained relationships with their emotionally distant parents.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Camacho’s sister, who placed the 911 call, had also been injured, suffering superficial cuts and bleeding from her mouth, officials said.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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This is not the time for superficial love.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Without the artist, the law becomes meaningless.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
-
On Saturday, a group of Texas A&M fans gathered in a hole in the LSU student section and did some of LSU’s cheers after the Tigers scored a meaningless touchdown in the final moments.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backhanded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backhanded. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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