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
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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
-
Punter Sean West — whose long 24-yard heave on a fake punt outgained every quarterback on the roster.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Green expertly applies fake eyelashes, thick foundation and a dessert brown eye look, while Messina goes to work piling tight curls atop my head.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Susan Shelley of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association blasted the pork-project spending as hypocritical, especially as some liberal groups and lawmakers support raising taxes or turning to voters to pass new bonds to prop up the state’s shaky finances.—
Wire Report,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Advertisement Of course, there is such a thing as being too bad—and too hypocritical.—
Shadi Hamid,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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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
-
However, Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias, felt Lorincz’s courtroom apology was insincere.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The data center explosion has created boom towns across the US, but strained grids and increased housing prices and energy costs.—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
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Judge has been working to rebuild her strained relationship with Sidney for years.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 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
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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 29 Nov. 2025.
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