OpenSynonym

backhanded

/ˌbækˈhændɪd/

ADJECTIVE

1. Insincere or indirectly insulting

Expressing praise, approval, or politeness that is not genuine and often contains an indirect criticism or insult.

1.1. Indirect criticism disguised as praise

Describes a remark or compliment that appears positive but subtly expresses criticism, disapproval, or disrespect.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • She received a backhanded compliment about her appearance.
  • His backhanded remarks made it clear that he disapproved of the decision.
  • The manager disguised criticism as a backhanded compliment about the employee's work.
  • Although it sounded like praise, the comment was actually a backhanded insult.

Related Words

1.2. False or hypocritical expressions of sincerity

Describes behavior, praise, or expressions of goodwill that appear sincere or virtuous but are actually artificial, affected, or hypocritical.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • His backhanded display of concern did little to convince his colleagues.
  • The politician's backhanded expressions of sympathy seemed artificial and self-serving.
  • She recognized the backhanded sincerity in his exaggerated praise.

Related Words

ADJECTIVE

2. Indirect or deliberately ambiguous

Expressed or performed indirectly rather than openly, straightforwardly, or explicitly.

2.1. Indirect communication

Describes communication or behavior that conveys a message in an indirect, roundabout, or less explicit manner.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • He made a backhanded reference to her earlier mistake rather than addressing it directly.
  • The speaker used backhanded language to express disagreement without openly criticizing the proposal.

Related Words

  • subtlety
  • innuendo
  • implication
  • evasion
  • ambiguity
  • circumlocution

ADJECTIVE

3. Performed with the back of the hand

Executed using the back of the hand rather than the palm, particularly when striking or making a sporting movement.

3.1. Physical striking movement

Describes a slap or blow delivered with the back of the hand.

Synonyms

Examples

  • He delivered a backhanded slap during the fight.
  • The actor performed a backhanded strike in the action scene.

Related Words

3.2. Backhand technique in sports

Describes a shot, stroke, or movement performed using the backhand side of a racket or sporting implement.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • She returned the ball with a backhanded stroke.
  • The player delivered a powerful backhanded shot across the court.

Related Words

ADJECTIVE

4. Slanting toward the left

Characterized by handwriting or written characters that incline toward the left.

4.1. Left-slanting handwriting

Describes a handwriting style in which letters lean toward the left rather than the right or remain upright.

Synonyms

  • left-slanting
  • left-leaning

Antonyms

  • right-slanting
  • upright

Examples

  • The letter was written in a distinctive backhanded style.
  • The handwriting expert noticed the backhanded slant of the handwritten note.

Related Words

VERB

5. To strike with the back of the hand or perform a backhand stroke

To hit someone or something with the back of the hand, or to execute a backhand movement in a sport.

5.1. Striking with the back of the hand

Describes hitting or slapping someone using the back of one's hand.

Synonyms

Examples

  • He backhanded the attacker during the confrontation.
  • The character backhanded the man who insulted her.

Related Words

5.2. Executing a backhand stroke

Describes hitting a ball or throwing a disc using a backhand technique in a sport.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The tennis player backhanded the ball into the opposite corner.
  • She backhanded the disc toward her teammate.

Related Words

ADVERB

6. In an indirect or backhanded manner

In a manner that is indirect, insincere, sarcastic, or subtly critical rather than open and straightforward.

6.1. Indirect or sarcastic communication

Describes expressing criticism, praise, or disagreement indirectly, often with an underlying negative implication.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • directly
  • sincerely
  • frankly
  • openly

Examples

  • She backhandedly criticized his presentation while pretending to praise it.
  • He backhandedly acknowledged her achievement with a sarcastic remark.

Related Words