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
MacKinnon took the puck off the wall behind the Boston net and snapped a backhanded pass to Lehkonen for a one-timer and a pretty goal.
—
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 25 Oct. 2025
The best came on a strong drive down the left wing and a sweet backhanded feed from Laba to Raddysh in the third period.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
This biting insult about nails Cristal is queen of the backhanded compliment.
—Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
Still, Pet Sematary is surprisingly, enjoyably watchable, which is a bit of a backhanded compliment for an adaptation of something so dark.
—James Grebey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backhanded
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 25 Oct. 2025
The best came on a strong drive down the left wing and a sweet backhanded feed from Laba to Raddysh in the third period.
—Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
This biting insult about nails Cristal is queen of the backhanded compliment.
—Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
Still, Pet Sematary is surprisingly, enjoyably watchable, which is a bit of a backhanded compliment for an adaptation of something so dark.
—James Grebey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backhanded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backhanded
Adjective
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Sinner, the 2024 Miami Open champion, became the first man since Roger Federer in 2017 to complete the Sunshine Double — winning Indian Wells and Miami titles back-to-back — and the first in history to win the double without losing a set.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
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Seven stacks of tiny paper cups were arranged to the left, next to packets of Nescafé, pouches of two-minute noodles, and a double gas burner connected to the cylinder—the main tool of his trade.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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While people sometimes express this view in jest, others believe the fake environment borders on a cultural abomination.—
Adam Kadlac,
The Conversation,
27 Mar. 2026
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With the Heat’s social media team posting a video of the dunks, Jakucionis joked that the video is fake.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Last month, White criticized the president’s declaration of war against Iran and his hypocritical stance on peace.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
27 Mar. 2026
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Thomas Jefferson, the great hero of the Declaration of Independence, is shown as hypocritical, cowardly, manipulative, a schemer of every kind.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Using artificial intelligence to compose a social media post in the wake of a tragedy, or using it to write a fan letter to an Olympic athlete, comes off as insincere.—
Gayle Rogers,
The Conversation,
17 Mar. 2026
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That being said, its professional technical aspects just add to the impression that this is a glib and insincere effort, trying to graft a fun moviegoing experience onto a depressing story about hateful people reveling in each other’s pain.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Caissie was a late addition to Friday's lineup after first baseman Chris Morel was scratched because of a strained oblique.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Caissie was a late addition to Friday’s lineup after first baseman Chris Morel was scratched because of a strained oblique.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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For now, at least, that defense is mostly superficial.—
Gaby Del Valle,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
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These smaller, superficial doses can help minimize the appearance of pores, reduce oiliness, soften fine lines, and create a smoother overall finish without freezing your facial movements.—
Jenny Jin,
Allure,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Spring training numbers are ultimately meaningless, but Garrett Crochet will likely be happy to put this camp behind him.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
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Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole is lightly serialized, but following the ongoing story is not really the point; in a meta effort to convey how time is meaningless to the immortal, Stamatopoulos requested that the first season be aired in a random order.—
Eric Vilas-Boas,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backhanded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backhanded. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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