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
Relevance
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of underhand
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025
The game starts with an underhand serve cross court.
—Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 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
Paying homage to this history, the 2025 iteration’s Chemigum outsole is oil-resistant, and its roughout leather is much more resilient than the comparable suede, though with a similar underhand feel.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025
The game starts with an underhand serve cross court.
—Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 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
-
Some defendants are also accused of conspiring to bribe a civilian contractor to create fraudulent military IDs for base access.—
Steve Patterson,
Florida Times-Union,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Rivers used her professional connection with Event Décor Direct in Deerfield Beach to take money from the event decoration business over a three-month period in 2025, in part by making dozens of fraudulent transactions and credit card purchases, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Thursday.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Bergen, Norway — In the frigid waters off the coast of Norway, America's NATO allies scour the depths for clandestine Russian activity.—
Steve Berriman,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The historical thriller is set against the backdrop of the 1970s meat ban in Uruguay, during which José, a Galician immigrant, and his daughter Rosita establish a clandestine slaughterhouse to survive.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This type of malware is often spread through fake software updates, malicious email attachments, compromised browser extensions or deceptive ads.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Bright sunshine on Sunday will be deceptive as highs will only reach the low to mid-20s.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This covert expansion of sports betting is controversial.—
Jacob Stern,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The company says they can also be used for covert operations, intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance operations.—
Brian Sherrod,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In a world where most sports have a shady underbelly and the fixes often are in one way or another, no one is ever going to tell you that boxing of all competitions is an avarice or sticky-fingers-free zone.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
3 Feb. 2026
-
When Leo breaks his leg and Pia is allowed into the wider world to take over his shady delivery business, Pia begins to ask questions about her family’s past and the secrets her father may be hiding.—
Caroline Carlson,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Ron Leibman and Paul Sand round out their gang, with Zero Mostel as the crooked attorney who serves as a go-between.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Descend its famously crooked path, flanked by cascading hydrangeas and storybook Edwardian homes—then watch cars zigzag through eight tight switchbacks while tourists crowd the sidewalks, snapping photos of its surreal descent.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
According to the District Attorney’s Office, Akers was working undercover as part of a task force when Stewart, 46, ran from uniformed law enforcement officers and then hid inside an unlocked tow truck.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The undercover investigators later spoke with Lorenz by phone.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underhand. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
