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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of underhand
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Nov. 2025
The inmate seems to show his butt to the group one more time, and did an underhand slapping motion.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for underhand
Adjective
Humans were seen tossing balls underhand or stepping up to test batting responses.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Nov. 2025
The inmate seems to show his butt to the group one more time, and did an underhand slapping motion.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Nov. 2025
Adverb
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
See All Example Sentences for underhand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underhand
Adjective
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The fraudulent wagers resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in profits for bettors, prosecutors said.—
Tom Winter,
NBC news,
28 May 2026
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Those include persuading a critical number of merchants to accept payments from agents, while also determining who is responsible for failed and fraudulent transactions.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
27 May 2026
Adjective
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That similarly clandestine spot is tucked in the mail sorting room of Hotel Phillips downtown.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
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Nicknamed Zvezdny Gorodok, or Star City/Starry Town, this clandestine base of operations was built beside the Tsiolkovskaya railway station served by the Yaroslavl Railroad.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
27 May 2026
Adjective
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This isn’t an easy history to tell since obfuscation, confusion, and deceptive hype are its central themes.—
Jonathan Odden,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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Owens also challenged the ballot title and summary as deceptive.—
Jack Harvel
June 2,
Kansas City Star,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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That is why Armenia’s election has become the focal point of an increasingly aggressive Russian political interference and covert action campaign.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
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So does her strategy of releasing information in covert drips, often not revealing facts until the reader has likely figured them out.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
Adjective
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As your seedlings start to grow, trim each pot down to one seedling before exposing them to the outdoor environment in a shady spot for a few hours everyday for at least a week.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
2 June 2026
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Matsui campaign strategist Roger Salazar clapped back against the allegations of shady PAC spending Friday, pointing to super PAC spending on Vang’s behalf.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
1 June 2026
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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Falter struggled, but he also wasn’t helped by a replay review that helped the Yankees put up a crooked number in the first inning.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
27 May 2026
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The storybook structure has a pointed roof, crooked chimney, and the general appearance of something out of a Brothers Grimm illustration.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Adjective
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Comeaux also said undercover officers would focus on drug enforcement.—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
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The Washington Nationals are in full damage control after an undercover journalist with the O’Keefe Media Group caught now former Director of Community Relations Sean Hudson claiming to be religiously discriminating against Catholic starting pitcher Trevor Williams.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underhand. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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