1
as in fraudulent
given to or marked by cheating and deception
willing to stoop to underhand methods in order to win
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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
Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Nov. 2025
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
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
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
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
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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Overall, the racket generated almost $600 million in fraudulent billings.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
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During the hearing, prosecutors said, Hamdan admitted to using his two pharmacies to submit false or fraudulent prescription claims.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But have they always been convinced the members of those bands are in clandestine relationships with each other?—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
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Nearly a quarter of the trips were to Canada, where LAPD personnel went to learn about best practices in investigating human trafficking and clandestine drug labs.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The felony charges are forgery and deceptive or fraudulent business practices.—
Michael Guise,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
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All clever touches and deceptive movement, this was the Eze Arsenal couldn’t bear to miss out on.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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BlueWhale was developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to support the German Navy in unmanned antisubmarine warfare and covert maritime operations.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Feb. 2026
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Clark is accused of setting up a covert video-recording device, disguised in a ballpoint pen, in the bathroom of a residence, using it to capture intimate footage of people, including minors, according to the case affidavit of probable cause.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This evidence places her in the crosshairs of a powerful network, including corrupt banker Freya Myers (Michaela Watkins), an unnamed assassin played by Stephen Moyer, and a shady businessman who happens to be her old man.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Feb. 2026
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But also there is shady stuff going on everywhere.—
Paul Tenorio,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 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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And no more crooked mail-in ballots except for illness, disability, military, or travel.—
TIME Staff,
Time,
25 Feb. 2026
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And no more crooked mail-in ballots except for illness, disability, military or travel.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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He was arrested twice more, finally for selling $9,500 worth of heroin to two undercover officers at a bar in 1992.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
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According to authorities, a police officer in New Albany, Ohio, was conducting an undercover operation in June 2022 when multiple people were found to be posting child pornography in a private group chat on the Kik mobile messenger app.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Underhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underhand. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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