backhanded
adjective
back·hand·ed
ˈbak-ˈhan-dəd 
2
: using or made with a backhand
backhandedly
adverb
Examples of backhanded in a Sentence
We were disappointed by his backhanded apology.
“You throw okay, for a girl” is a bit of a backhanded compliment
Recent Examples on the Web
Every Best Picture nominee got its backhanded compliment.
—
Judy Berman, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
That faint praise is a backhanded tribute to the success of DEI campaigns, even as many Americans still scratch their heads in confusion over what DEI really is.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
Critics liked it well enough, but often in a backhanded way, calling it a very good television movie.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Tavares made a backhanded scoop, lifting the puck toward the front of the net.
—Julian McKenzie, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for backhanded
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Judy Berman, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
That faint praise is a backhanded tribute to the success of DEI campaigns, even as many Americans still scratch their heads in confusion over what DEI really is.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
Critics liked it well enough, but often in a backhanded way, calling it a very good television movie.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Tavares made a backhanded scoop, lifting the puck toward the front of the net.
—Julian McKenzie, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for backhanded
Articles Related to backhanded
Cite this Entry
“Backhanded.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backhanded. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
backhanded
adjective
back·hand·ed
ˈbak-ˈhan-dəd
1
2
: not sincere
a backhanded compliment
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