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backhanded

adjective

ˈbak-ˈhan-dəd How to pronounce backhanded (audio)
Definition of backhandednext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 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 This is a backhanded way of encouraging all companies to tighten up security on their products. — Jeremy Hsu, IEEE Spectrum, 23 Apr. 2019 See All Example Sentences for backhanded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backhanded
  1. double
  2. fake
  3. lip
  4. hypocritical
  5. insincere
  6. strained
  7. superficial
  8. meaningless
Adjective
  • Rooms Faraway Sag Harbor has 67 guest rooms and suites, including a handful of lofts with double-height ceilings.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The brand’s Exceptional Extraits generated more than 25 percent of sales and rose more than 80 percent, while sales from the Essence Collection, from a double-infusion process, were up more than 260 percent.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of double
Adjective
  • The Scarlet Knights ran a fake punt to convert a fourth and 21 for a 44-yard gain that sparked a touchdown drive to close the gap to three points.
    — Sean Campbell, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The products, which sport fake USDA inspection labels, were distributed to grocery stores and restaurants across the United States.
    — Julia Hawkins, Idaho Statesman, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of fake
Adjective
  • Likewise, lip masks designed to be worn overnight can provide improved hydration and comfort over daytime treatments.
    — Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 25 Mar. 2026
  • 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
Definition of lip
Adjective
  • And members of these new churches were mostly not the black-dressed, hypocritical, sour-faced, monocultural figures favored by popular narrative, but often included colorful figures who were sometimes surprisingly modern in their desires.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • There is something deeply hypocritical about discovering and using the language of women’s liberation only when your own status, reputation, or income is at stake.
    — Laura Jung, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of hypocritical
Adjective
  • Leigh feared the tracks might be too arch, too pretentious, too insincere.
    — Josephine Reisman, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
  • After the ceremony, Lewandowski spoke to Polish football show Moc Futbolu and reportedly labeled Messi’s Ballon d’Or speech as insincere.
    — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of insincere
Adjective
  • Faith and family healing Practical communication strategies can be valuable when relationships become strained.
    — Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • For too long, Washington failed to enforce our immigration laws, and the resulting chaos overwhelmed communities and strained resources nationwide.
    — Don Bacon, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of strained
Adjective
  • Throughout her career, Madonna has treated beauty as a language rather than a superficial endpoint.
    — Sadie Kargman, Allure, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The parallels between motorsports’ safety revolution and the enterprise AI landscape today are not superficial.
    — Jessica Vitiritti, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of superficial
Adjective
  • There was another shot, about a meaningless void and sitcoms being the same thing.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Hours before the Yankees’ meaningless 9-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, reporters swarmed Anthony Volpe’s locker as he was seen taking grounders at third base.
    — James O'Connell, New York Daily News, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of meaningless

Browse Nearby Words

backhand
backhanded
backhander
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Cite this Entry

“Backhanded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backhanded. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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