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
To Trump’s backhanded credit, that’s putting it mildly on all counts.
—
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 31 May 2025
There was nearly a fourth as well, though rookie Kristian Campbell was able to make an impressive backhanded grab in shallow right with his back to the infield in the bottom of the fourth.
—Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2025
Barkov showed off his skill in the clinching game against the Hurricanes, fending off defenseman Dmitry Orlov against the boards before feeding Carter Verhaeghe a perfect, backhanded pass to set up what would prove to be the conference-winning goal.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 31 May 2025
Critics say work requirements are a backhanded way to slim down the Medicaid rolls, since the paperwork requirements of such programs have proved so onerous that eligible people drop out, causing the uninsured rate to rise.
—Elisabeth Rosenthal, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for backhanded
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 31 May 2025
There was nearly a fourth as well, though rookie Kristian Campbell was able to make an impressive backhanded grab in shallow right with his back to the infield in the bottom of the fourth.
—Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2025
Barkov showed off his skill in the clinching game against the Hurricanes, fending off defenseman Dmitry Orlov against the boards before feeding Carter Verhaeghe a perfect, backhanded pass to set up what would prove to be the conference-winning goal.
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 31 May 2025
Critics say work requirements are a backhanded way to slim down the Medicaid rolls, since the paperwork requirements of such programs have proved so onerous that eligible people drop out, causing the uninsured rate to rise.
—Elisabeth Rosenthal, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for backhanded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backhanded
Adjective
-
When the resident, who was a double leg amputee and under power of attorney, attempted to inform staff members of the assault, no one came to her room or responded to calls, according to the inspection report.—
Tamia Fowlkes,
jsonline.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Because after Cronenworth tagged up and went to third on a fly ball to right field by Fermin, he was thrown out at home on a double steal attempt.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Trump still puts himself on fake magazine covers for validation, but some version of his celebrity and influence — and the attendant and unnerving public scrutiny — is now available to anyone who wants it.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
16 Aug. 2025
-
In some cases, scam victims have reached out to fraudsters on fake websites, which look legitimate, in hopes of recovering their funds.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
For lip color, reach for the Merit Beauty Signature lipsticks.—
Loren Savini,
Allure,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The woman is long gone, so Freer has to imagine her consent — in a history so full of gaps, coercion, and disappearance, a pretended connection is better than none at all.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2022
-
What most activates Dunn’s rage is the misogyny that only deepened amid all the pretended freedoms of the counterculture.—
Sam Sacks,
WSJ,
11 Nov. 2022
Adjective
-
House Speaker Mike Johnson, who will be my next guest, has accused you of being hypocritical for pushing for the release of these files now and not when former President Biden was in office.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
27 July 2025
-
First of all, Donna, the Democrats are absolutely hypocritical here.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 July 2025
Adjective
-
The movie does not earn the right for such an insincere have-your-I-Heart-the-’90s-cake-and-eat-it-too gesture.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
16 July 2025
-
King’s typical approach to the genre — gifted protagonists facing off against chilly government entities or insincere spiritual forces within a horror context — has fallen out of vogue in favor of comparable superhero origin stories with elevated skills and stakes.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Power grids are strained, data centers are bottlenecked and companies keep throwing more hardware at the problem.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Although family relations might be a bit strained today, this is still a great day for discussions about finances, shared property, inheritances and banking matters.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Underwriting Must Be Rigorous And Justified Due diligence cannot be superficial.—
Adam Craig,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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On the other hand, Claude’s analysis of my email often feels superficial and biased toward newer messages.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backhanded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backhanded. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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