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
Barkov showed off his skill in the clinching game against the Hurricanes, fending off defenseman Dmitry Orlov against the boards before feeding Carter Verhaeghe a perfect, backhanded pass to set up what would prove to be the conference-winning goal.
—
Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 31 May 2025
Critics say work requirements are a backhanded way to slim down the Medicaid rolls, since the paperwork requirements of such programs have proved so onerous that eligible people drop out, causing the uninsured rate to rise.
—Elisabeth Rosenthal, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025
LeMahieu then ended the inning with a slick, backhanded, sliding play on a Lindor groundout.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
That’s not a backhanded compliment, that’s more … RUSSELL The reality.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for backhanded
Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 31 May 2025
Critics say work requirements are a backhanded way to slim down the Medicaid rolls, since the paperwork requirements of such programs have proved so onerous that eligible people drop out, causing the uninsured rate to rise.
—Elisabeth Rosenthal, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025
LeMahieu then ended the inning with a slick, backhanded, sliding play on a Lindor groundout.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
That’s not a backhanded compliment, that’s more … RUSSELL The reality.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for backhanded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backhanded
Adjective
-
The soundtrack that accompanied her film A Star Is Born, which is credited to the singer-songwriter as well as Bradley Cooper, was certified double platinum back in 2019.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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The unfortunate frame began with a Davis Schneider double, which knocked Carlos Rodón out of the game.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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There’s a massive global scam operation that uses real payment methods on fake checkout pages.—
Kim Komando The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
12 July 2025
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Additional increases in the quantity and quality of weapons sent to Ukraine would underpin that message and would have a better chance than anything else of persuading Putin to replace fake negotiations with the real thing.—
The Editors,
National Review,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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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
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For lip color, reach for the Merit Beauty Signature lipsticks.—
Loren Savini,
Allure,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The woman is long gone, so Freer has to imagine her consent — in a history so full of gaps, coercion, and disappearance, a pretended connection is better than none at all.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2022
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What most activates Dunn’s rage is the misogyny that only deepened amid all the pretended freedoms of the counterculture.—
Sam Sacks,
WSJ,
11 Nov. 2022
Adjective
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Later Tuesday, Johnson said the violence in Los Angeles is not comparable to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, and said Trump's mass pardons of Jan. 6 rioters were not hypocritical.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
10 June 2025
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Against this backdrop, Iran is leveraging social media and state media to frame the U.S. as unstable and hypocritical—part of a broader strategy to weaken its global credibility amid deepening diplomatic tensions.—
Amanda Castro
Shane Croucher
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
Democrats doubled down on issues that didn’t resonate with male voters and the tactics often used were corny, insincere and offensive.—
Matt Fleming,
Oc Register,
2 June 2025
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That’s not to say the film’s focus on the magic and mysteries male companionship is insincere.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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The country’s Transitional Presidential Council also adopted a resolution authorizing the involvement of a controversial force, the Protected Areas Security Brigade, to fight gangs despite the agency’s strained relationships with the Haiti National Police.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2025
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On this track, he and FOLA trade lines seamlessly and effortlessly, with the young singer fitting right in on the emotional track about a strained relationship that both sides are trying to save.—
Heran Mamo,
Billboard,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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The aesthetic industry, once seen as superficial, is evolving into a crucial branch of the broader longevity movement.—
Lara Devgan,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Those families tend to be all alike, regardless of the superficial differences among them.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backhanded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backhanded. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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