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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Zachary Taylor of Trabuco Hills also was a double-qualifier for the state meet in the shot put and discus.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
24 May 2026
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Reliever Lena Elkins entered the game looking to limit the damage, but allowed a 2-run double by Ramirez to extend the lead to 6-1.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 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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This is just another clear indication of the intolerance and hypocritical nature of the left.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
23 May 2026
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The lawsuit also alleged Cameron’s actions were hypocritical of his films’ messaging and detailed public backlash Cameron and the films faced for its depictions of Native groups.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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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
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As soon as Talarico’s primary victory over Jasmine Crockett was certain, conservatives called on those remarks and others to swiftly and uniformly deride his Christianity as blasphemous and insincere.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 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
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Especially after that last at-bat Saturday, which is at once a completely superficial and entirely logical point.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2026
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Romano’s sturdy book may not stint on examples of Mary’s bad behavior—including a ferociously jealous verbal assault, near the end of the war, on the wife of a prominent Union general—but the biographer keeps tilting against those who slighted Mary in even the most superficial ways.—
Thomas Mallon,
New Yorker,
18 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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