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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of backhanded
He was helped by shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, who made a backhanded stop on a sharp grounder while playing in and threw out Mauricio Dubón for the second out to keep the automatic runner at third.
—
ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
Howie Mandel is defusing any tension between himself and Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos after a headline-making back-and-forth over a backhanded compliment.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
That is not meant as a backhanded compliment, but an indictment of the past regime.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
In the aftermath, Doncic pushed Williams in the lower back, and Williams responded by striking Doncic with a backhanded swing.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backhanded
ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026
Howie Mandel is defusing any tension between himself and Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos after a headline-making back-and-forth over a backhanded compliment.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2026
That is not meant as a backhanded compliment, but an indictment of the past regime.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
In the aftermath, Doncic pushed Williams in the lower back, and Williams responded by striking Doncic with a backhanded swing.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backhanded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backhanded
Adjective
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Its double-height ceilings in the living room provide the perfect acoustics when performers use the grand piano for impromptu concerts.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
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Mihyia Davis stroked the next pitch off Slimp’s glove in left for a double and Williams moved to third.—
Tim Willert,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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In the show, shy Briar U music major Hannah Wells (Ella Bright) and cocky team captain Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli) begin fake-dating to try to catch the attention of Hannah’s crush.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
28 May 2026
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The schemes involve the use of fake court documents regarding false traffic and criminal infractions.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2026
Adjective
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Likewise, lip masks designed to be worn overnight can provide improved hydration and comfort over daytime treatments.—
Caroline Reilly,
Forbes.com,
25 Mar. 2026
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On the opposite end of the spectrum, Tatianna points to cinnamon as a conductor of heat—one commonly used in lip plumper products to achieve a sultry pout.—
Essence,
Essence,
23 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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People are fixating on celebrities of all kinds, accusing singers of body-positive anthems of being hypocritical, rolling their eyes at athletes promoting weight loss drugs and whispering about the thinness of their favorite movie stars.—
Sara Moniuszko,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
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Yet, the sense of cognitive dissonance that pervades this space can feel blindingly hypocritical.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Adjective
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But somewhere between legal automation and insincere executive empathy is the place where actual human communication still exists.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
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Sybiha said Russia’s actions exposed its calls for a separate ceasefire around May 9 as insincere.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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Last year, Hernández played in just one rehab game returning from a strained groin.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
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Large parts of its war effort are now unmanned, the robots, drones, and remotely piloted tanks giving it a sudden, albeit fragile, edge over a lumbering and strained Russian invader.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
Yes, people can actually be superficial on social media.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
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Seek out someone who can go beyond the superficial conversation level and discuss something meaningful.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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Growth at the top becomes meaningless if the foundation beneath it is eroding.—
Sunita Dhaliwal,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
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The truth is that what happened on the pitch was meaningless for most.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backhanded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backhanded. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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