Synonyms of underhanded

underhanded 1 of 2

adjective

1

as in deceptive

given to or marked by cheating and deception

the commercial is a part of an underhanded PR campaign to whitewash the company's environmental record

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deceptive
• fraudulent
• shady
• crooked
• dishonest
• underhand
• duplicitous
• rogue
• fast
• shifty
• false
• bent
• guileful
• artful
• sharp
• unscrupulous
• double-dealing
• unethical
• unprincipled
• deceitful
• treacherous
• cunning
• subtle
• unconscionable
• deceiving
• sly
• wily
• devious
• sneaky
• crafty
• slick
• insidious
• delusive
• slippery
• cagey
• furtive
• perfidious
• beguiling
• tricky
• foxy
• cagy
• delusory
• deluding
• sneaking
• trickish
• defrauding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• honest
• straight
• ethical
• honorable
• conscientious
• scrupulous
• decent
• just
• aboveboard
• upright
• straightforward
• forthright

2

as in clandestine

undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others

an underhanded attempt at infiltrating the other party's headquarters

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clandestine
• sneak
• covert
• undercover
• underground
• private
• underhand
• sneaking
• surreptitious
• stealth
• sneaky
• furtive
• stealthy
• secret
• behind-the-scenes
• hole-and-corner
• privy
• backstairs
• undisclosed
• hush-hush
• confidential
• hugger-mugger
• closed-door
• off-the-books
• off-the-record
• hidden
• restricted
• classified
• back-channel
• top secret
• secreted
• concealed
• subterranean
• unadvertised
• unexposed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• overt
• public
• open
• avowed
• straightforward
• acknowledged
• obvious
• undisguised
• plain
• unrestricted
• evident
• unclassified
• clear
• unconcealed
• aboveboard
• manifest
• patent

underhanded

2 of 2

adverb

as in underhand

Related Words

• underhand
• underhandedly
• stealthily
• surreptitiously
• secretively
• sneakily
• furtively
• underground
• undercover
• covertly
• collusively
• clandestinely
• conspiratorially
• offstage
• offscreen
• tête-à-tête
• inwardly
• à deux
• sotto voce
• secretly
• privately
• intimately
• confidentially
• in camera
• backstage

Dissimilar Words

• publicly
• openly

Synonym Chooser

How is the word underhanded distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of underhanded are clandestine, covert, furtive, secret, stealthy, and surreptitious. While all these words mean "done without attracting observation," underhanded stresses fraud or deception.

an underhanded trick

Where would clandestine be a reasonable alternative to underhanded?

In some situations, the words clandestine and underhanded are roughly equivalent. However, clandestine implies secrecy usually for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered.

a clandestine meeting of conspirators

When is covert a more appropriate choice than underhanded?

The meanings of covert and underhanded largely overlap; however, covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.

covert intelligence operations

When can furtive be used instead of underhanded?

Although the words furtive and underhanded have much in common, furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.

lovers exchanging furtive glances

When might secret be a better fit than underhanded?

While the synonyms secret and underhanded are close in meaning, secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.

met at a secret location

When could stealthy be used to replace underhanded?

The words stealthy and underhanded can be used in similar contexts, but stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard especially in some misdoing.

the stealthy step of a burglar

When is it sensible to use surreptitious instead of underhanded?

The synonyms surreptitious and underhanded are sometimes interchangeable, but surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation of custom, law, or authority.

the surreptitious stockpiling of weapons

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of underhanded

Adverb

His underhanded attempt to maintain power over this case is a judicial power grab that the Department of Justice will fight by all means necessary. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025

For example, five of Reese’s 16 shots at the rim in Friday’s game against the Lunar Owls were underhanded. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025

Barry famously shot his free throws underhanded, too, so this was kind of his comfort zone. —Daniel Brown, The Athletic, 19 July 2024

This act, designed to build intrigue for their WrestleMania match, portrayed Cena as underhanded. —Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025