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

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
Adjective
The Bruins weren’t just tossing underhand lobs in the first period for the Sabres to jack out of the park. — Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026 Hart slowed for an instant before charging off the mound, and Devers, who is no one’s idea of fast, beat out the underhand shovel from Gavin Sheets. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 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
  • Prosecutors alleged in the complaint that the applications included false and fraudulent statements, such as the number of employees and average monthly payroll.
    — Ruben Vives Follow, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Fake celebrity endorsements, manipulated videos and fraudulent holiday giveaways can make questionable offers appear legitimate.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of fraudulent
Adjective
  • The clandestine Democratic effort to recruit a candidate who shares the name of the state’s incumbent Republican senator could have major implications for what happens after Tuesday.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • There was something sad in our meetups always having to be clandestine.
    — Erica Garza, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of clandestine
Adjective
  • The agency said undisclosed collection or use of personal information to personalize prices could violate the FTC Act’s prohibition on unfair or deceptive practices.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The Brennan Center for Justice tested ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, Claude, Perplexity and DeepSeek for their willingness to facilitate deceptive content.
    — Julia Boorstin, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of deceptive
Adjective
  • This covert communication will lead to trouble, exacerbating racial inequities even as Lord Balfour eventually, foolishly brings the war back to his own doorstep.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The American intelligence community has repeatedly warned that America’s enemies use digital and covert operations to turn Americans against each other.
    — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of covert
Adjective
  • In addition, consumer devices, including smart TVs and routers, can be secretly ensnared by such proxy services via malware or shady third-party software development kits (SDKs).
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
  • In making an explicit pledge not to sell customer data to outside firms, Ford is trying to position itself as one of the better actors in an industry rife with shady practices.
    — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of shady
Adjective
  • He is helped by his god-daughter Saga (Zazie Beetz), who is a top FBI agent willing to go undercover in a psychiatric hospital to get close to Walter.
    — Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 4 Nov. 2026
  • With additional use of FLOCK cameras, the suspect vehicle was located by undercover officers traveling south on Missouri 291 in Liberty.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of undercover
Adjective
  • The wings were awkward and ugly, tipped with crooked, writhing little hands, the outstretched skin loose and shivering between its fingers.
    — Téa Obreht, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026
  • When a job goes wrong and Viktor is seriously hurt, Malina cuts a deal with a crooked doctor.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of crooked
Adjective
  • Now industry is fixated on its unusually large lithium concentrations in its massive underground aquifer.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2026
  • While the Hub is a busy center, there is surface parking throughout, plus underground parking.
    — Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of underground

Browse Nearby Words

undergrowths
underhand
underhanded
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Cite this Entry

“Underhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underhand. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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