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
Every Best Picture nominee got its backhanded compliment.
—
Judy Berman, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
That faint praise is a backhanded tribute to the success of DEI campaigns, even as many Americans still scratch their heads in confusion over what DEI really is.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
Critics liked it well enough, but often in a backhanded way, calling it a very good television movie.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Tavares made a backhanded scoop, lifting the puck toward the front of the net.
—Julian McKenzie, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for backhanded
Judy Berman, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
That faint praise is a backhanded tribute to the success of DEI campaigns, even as many Americans still scratch their heads in confusion over what DEI really is.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
Critics liked it well enough, but often in a backhanded way, calling it a very good television movie.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Tavares made a backhanded scoop, lifting the puck toward the front of the net.
—Julian McKenzie, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for backhanded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backhanded
Adjective
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The Cowgirls grew their lead to 3-1 with a double to left-center field by Rachael Hathoot.—
Ethan Westerman,
Arkansas Online,
17 May 2025
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This double belonging—to the United States by birth, but to Peru by choice, service, and love—may give us some insight into Pope Leo’s pastoral identity.—
Raúl E. Zegarra,
Time,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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Later, it's revealed that Phelps didn't die at all, and his fake death was a setup to frame Ethan.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
24 May 2025
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San Diego airport threat: Military member arrested after bomb threat at San Diego International Airport Ex-LA deputy mayor used voice application for fake bomb threat Prosecutors did not provide a motive for the false bomb threat, but detailed Williams' process to conceal the origin of the threat.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
23 May 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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Some critics view Sanders' use of private jets and his personal wealth as hypocritical to his overall message.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
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However, his lack of empathy towards others, hypocritical antics and blurred sense of reality has not only done him damage but has negatively impacted the whole royal family.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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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
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Consider New Perspectives And Feedback Employees can tell when relationships are insincere, which is why leaders must practice empathy and authenticity so that trust, collaboration and cultural awareness can take root.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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There's also the potential for dependency on partners, which can be risky if the alliance becomes strained.—
Randy Wong,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
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This causes the voice to break and have a strained sound.—
Kate Nalepinski,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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Garmin also upgrades the superficial hardware in the Forerunner 970.—
Andrew Williams,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
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Health advocacy organizations say public outreach for this effort, especially to Black Georgians, has been superficial at best.—
Margaret Coker,
ProPublica,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backhanded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backhanded. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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