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
Every Best Picture nominee got its backhanded compliment.
—
Judy Berman, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
That faint praise is a backhanded tribute to the success of DEI campaigns, even as many Americans still scratch their heads in confusion over what DEI really is.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
Critics liked it well enough, but often in a backhanded way, calling it a very good television movie.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Tavares made a backhanded scoop, lifting the puck toward the front of the net.
—Julian McKenzie, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for backhanded
Judy Berman, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
That faint praise is a backhanded tribute to the success of DEI campaigns, even as many Americans still scratch their heads in confusion over what DEI really is.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
Critics liked it well enough, but often in a backhanded way, calling it a very good television movie.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Tavares made a backhanded scoop, lifting the puck toward the front of the net.
—Julian McKenzie, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for backhanded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backhanded
Adjective
-
Kornet, who nearly recorded a triple double (10 points, nine rebounds, seven blocks) in Game 5 was late on rotations.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2025
-
The Knights started quickly as shortstop Aubrey Evans led off the bottom of the first with a double to deep left.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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YouTube has further cracked down on fake movie trailer channels.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
12 May 2025
-
This fake news is being spread by France’s enemies, both abroad and at home.—
Jenny Goldsberry,
The Washington Examiner,
12 May 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
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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
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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
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Some critics view Sanders' use of private jets and his personal wealth as hypocritical to his overall message.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
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However, his lack of empathy towards others, hypocritical antics and blurred sense of reality has not only done him damage but has negatively impacted the whole royal family.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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Consider New Perspectives And Feedback Employees can tell when relationships are insincere, which is why leaders must practice empathy and authenticity so that trust, collaboration and cultural awareness can take root.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
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The Baldwins shame him, but their righteous indignation feels insincere considering Baldwin wasn’t using her name in that footage with detectives.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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There's also the potential for dependency on partners, which can be risky if the alliance becomes strained.—
Randy Wong,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
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Despite the strained relationship between both countries at the political level, the Tempo are focused on having a smooth launch next year and adding to the W’s current momentum.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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Garmin also upgrades the superficial hardware in the Forerunner 970.—
Andrew Williams,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
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Health advocacy organizations say public outreach for this effort, especially to Black Georgians, has been superficial at best.—
Margaret Coker,
ProPublica,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backhanded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backhanded. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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