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underhanded

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adverb

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

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 underhanded
Adverb
An underhanded minority are adapting to laxer journal policies by using artificial intelligence to accelerate their research pipeline. Thomas Morgan, The Conversation, 12 Sep. 2025 Another state legislative proposal to allow public districts to hire school chaplains, which critics view as an underhanded attempt at evangelizing to students, has only succeeded in Texas and Florida. Liam Adams, Nashville Tennessean, 2 Sep. 2025 The offense never got on track, and the disappointment was only intensified when it was discovered that Houston used underhanded tactics to gain an advantage on opponents that season. Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 17 Aug. 2025 Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation As the new Undisputed WWE Champion, Cena has embraced his villainous side, retaining his title against stars like Randy Orton by using cheap shots and underhanded tactics. Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for underhanded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for underhanded
Adjective
  • State legislators and attorneys general should examine whether certain practices violate existing rules against unfair or deceptive trade practices.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Barrera plays Michelle, a deceptive character who will keep everyone guessing.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Duplicity, directed by Tony Gilroy, follows two corporate spies, Claire (Roberts) and Ray (Owen), who become embroiled in a clandestine love affair.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
  • There’s a clandestine quality to it all.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 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
Adjective
  • Jason Clarke is a force as Alex, whose booming charm hides fraudulent business dealings and a growing opioid addiction, while Arquette is Emmy-worthy as the long-suffering but demanding Maggie.
    EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The analyst added that the fraudulent nature of the borrowers hints at a unique situation rather than an underlying systematic issue.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
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
  • Trim low limbs on evergreen trees and shrubs to allow more sunlight in shady areas.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Riders will queue up in an expansive (and thankfully shady) warehouse structure that resembles garages seen in the films.
    Tom Tapp, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Gallagher Trombley, the Digital Mom Media founder, worries that the helicopter parenting and the constant surveillance of our children, covert or otherwise, might have harmed an entire generation.
    Don Riddell, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Those concerns have reportedly deepened tensions within the Pentagon over the military’s expanding role in supporting covert geopolitical objectives without clear congressional authorization.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Yet, the number of in-person days coming down the pipeline has been stealthily increasing.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
  • No cords or wires will be spilling out thanks to the organization slots at the back of this media unit that stealthily corral them at the back.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Underhanded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/underhanded. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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