1
as in fraudulent
given to or marked by cheating and deception
willing to stoop to underhand methods in order to win
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others
the congressman's underhand attempt to slip several pork barrel items into the bill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in underhanded
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of underhand
Anthony Gharib, USA TODAY, 13 June 2023
Pitchers tossed underhand and no one wore gloves yet, resulting in smarting pain in the hands of catchers and first basemen.
—Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 29 Mar. 2023
Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 May 2025
Her explosive personality and underhand tactics constantly antagonize Jenny, a down-to-earth woman who’s more or less content staying in her small hometown despite often being treated like an outsider.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for underhand
Adjective
Each team will alternate tossing the bean bag underhand onto the board until all four bean bags are thrown.
—Anthony Gharib, USA TODAY, 13 June 2023
Pitchers tossed underhand and no one wore gloves yet, resulting in smarting pain in the hands of catchers and first basemen.
—Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 29 Mar. 2023
Adverb
The conventional thought is that the windmill, underhand softball pitching motion creates less stress than throwing a baseball.
—Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 May 2025
Her explosive personality and underhand tactics constantly antagonize Jenny, a down-to-earth woman who’s more or less content staying in her small hometown despite often being treated like an outsider.
—Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for underhand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underhand
Adjective
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Throughout the enrollment process, there was no reason to believe the official birth certificate was fraudulent.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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One plaintiff claimed their debit card was allegedly used for $80 in fraudulent charges.—
Chase Jordan
October 2,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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What’s being communicated in this clandestine network of underground messaging?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Oct. 2025
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There’s a lead character’s creeping paranoia, a plot driven by nefarious and clandestine powers that be, the encroachment of the past on the present.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Unboxed, these black silicone bands look unassuming, but their simplicity is deceptive.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
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The shuttering of the agency that enforces laws against anticompetitive and deceptive business behavior is one small part of the national gridlock that began on Wednesday and could result in the furlough of 750,000 federal workers and delay air travel.—
Reuters,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This model protects against allergens like pollen and pet dander, smoke, dust, and does it all from a place of covert, inoffensive design.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
3 Oct. 2025
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The detectives’ new case takes them to a remote Arctic research station, where a member of a covert British special forces mission has been shot dead.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But when a mysterious and powerful agent disrupts the negotiations, Brahim discovers the shady side of the business.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
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Remove a few overhead tree branches if your planting site is too shady.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Get Ready: Katy Perry Has Released a Sneak Peek of Her New Song And the internet has receipts.—
Mehera Bonner,
Marie Claire,
15 Mar. 2017
Adjective
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Most playoff games are often decided by big moments and managerial decisions, not crooked numbers and tired relievers.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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The show, which followed a crooked New Mexican lawyer, played by Bob Odenkirk, was an archly funny drama, shot partly in gritty black-and-white.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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One person Smith communicated with was an undercover FBI agent, according to prosecutors.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
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Nearly 10 years after his demise, Holliday decides to go undercover as Powers to try and get a second chance with a struggling college team at South Georgia.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Underhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underhand. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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