underhand 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of underhandnext
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

underhand

2 of 2

adverb

as in underhanded

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of underhand
Adjective
In 1978, Kathleen Madigan won the Mid-Missouri Hoops Shoot Championship by making 14 of 15 attempts, all underhand. — Mac Engel march 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026 In a late-game highlight, rookie forward Adou Thiero provided a rare opportunity for Laker fans to cheer, catching a Bronny James underhand lob for an alley-oop dunk through contact. — Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
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
  1. fraudulent
  2. clandestine
  3. deceptive
  4. covert
  5. shady
  6. undercover
  7. crooked
  8. underground
Adjective
  • The new features include the Clear Skies Papermill Alarm, which helps identify potentially fraudulent manuscripts at submission.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 30 July 2026
  • In May, Percival directed DHS attorneys to pursue additional enforcement actions targeting fraudulent asylum claims.
    — Preston Mizell , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of fraudulent
Adjective
  • Throughout the previous four years, Russia has, for example, sent drones and clandestine operatives to disrupt European defense production facilities, military bases, and transport infrastructure.
    — Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2026
  • In the past, drug traffickers approached the community seeking to build a clandestine airstrip inside their territory.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Definition of clandestine
Adjective
  • This predominantly includes deceptive measures and signal disruptions as responses to intrusive drones.
    — Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • Warren also raised concerns about X’s banking partner, Cross River Bank, pointing to prior enforcement actions over deceptive loan practices involving the bank’s fintech partners.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026
Definition of deceptive
Adjective
  • Its national intelligence scope will include counterterrorism efforts, national emergency response, and countermeasures against foreign intelligence such as spy activity or covert influence operations.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • Now, thermal visibility is extremely useful in countless scenarios, such as rescue operations in smoke or darkness, inspections for identifying faults in infrastructure, covert operations in the dark, security monitoring, and safety.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 July 2026
Definition of covert
Adjective
  • Wait until fall to sod shady areas to prevent decline due to excessive moisture.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026
  • His name was carved on the same gravestone as Leslie’s, on a shady plot near the sea, but his ashes were scattered somewhere far from her bones.
    — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026
Definition of shady
Adjective
  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer Seth Elliott used confidential police databases to let a drug dealer know about undercover police who were trying to buy drugs, court documents allege.
    — Julia Coin Updated July 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
  • Pagnoni was actually communicating with an undercover detective from the Camden County Prosecutor's Office High Tech Crimes Unit.
    — CBS News Philadelphia Staff, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Definition of undercover
Adjective
  • Stankoven erupted for 11 goals and five assists in 19 playoff games en route to the Stanley Cup, and his impact was greater than his point production all season, shown by his crooked possession and play-driving numbers.
    — Harman Dayal, New York Times, 28 July 2026
  • The release encourages people not to use any card reader that looks loose, crooked, damaged or scratched, and to use tap-to-pay or chip technology whenever possible.
    — Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 27 July 2026
Definition of crooked
Adjective
  • The $20 million capital improvement construction project included full demolition and reconstruction of the base’s aging tarmac and new underground fire-retardant reloading bays.
    — Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2026
  • Experts say the Teesta River basin, where the hydropower project is being built, lies in a seismically active region marked by young, fragile rock formations riddled with fractures and underground pockets that can trap ancient gases.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
Definition of underground

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Cite this Entry

“Underhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underhand. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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