backhanded compliment

noun

: a compliment that implies it is not really a compliment at all
She paid me a backhanded compliment when she said my work was "surprisingly good."

Dictionary Entries Near backhanded compliment

Cite this Entry

“Backhanded compliment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backhanded%20compliment. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!