underhanded
1 of 2adverb
underhanded
2 of 2adjective
Synonyms
Adjective
- bent [chiefly British]
- crooked
- deceptive
- dishonest
- double-dealing
- duplicitous
- fast
- fraudulent
- guileful
- rogue
- shady
- sharp
- shifty
- underhand
Example Sentences
Agur Jõgi, Forbes, 10 Aug. 2022 Ragans made an underhanded toss to the plate from his glove, but Robert made a nice slide to avoid catcher Jonah Heim’s tag to tie the game at 1. Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2022 Frank Larose’s underhanded efforts to keep Democrats off the special election ballot in August, even though the overseas version of those ballots have been mailed. Laura Johnston, cleveland, 27 June 2022 All of Us Are Dead, this supporting character’s adjustment here provides a strong contrast to the underhanded, bickering adults. Jae Ha Kim, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2022 Unlike some of the usual traits associated with toxicity, such as a bullish demeanor, aggression, rigid control, and overconfidence, toxic femininity is passive, underhanded, and counterproductive. Christine Michel Carter, Forbes, 1 June 2022 Anything else is an underhanded attempt to sabotage her pursuit of happiness. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 4 July 2022 Kelly fielded the ball and made an underhanded toss to first to end the threat. Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2022 Then with 5:33 remaining, Dobbie took a pass from Jimerson and whipped an underhanded, back-to-the-cage volley to the top right corner of the net. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 30 June 2022 See More Word History
Adverb
circa 1822, in the meaning defined above
Adjective
1853, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
underhanded
adjective
underhanded 1 of 2
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- deceptive
- fraudulent
- shady
- dishonest
- crooked
- underhand
- duplicitous
- rogue
- fast
- shifty
- guileful
- false
- bent
- unscrupulous
- artful
- unethical
- unprincipled
- deceitful
- double-dealing
- sharp
- cunning
- treacherous
- subtle
- unconscionable
- sly
- deceiving
- sneaky
- devious
- wily
- crafty
- insidious
- slick
- cagey
- perfidious
- furtive
- delusive
- slippery
- delusory
- beguiling
- tricky
- sneaking
- deluding
- foxy
- cagy
- defrauding
- trickish
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- honest
- honorable
- ethical
- straight
- scrupulous
- conscientious
- aboveboard
- decent
- just
- forthright
- straightforward
- upright
Synonyms & Similar Words
- clandestine
- sneak
- covert
- undercover
- underground
- sneaking
- underhand
- surreptitious
- private
- stealth
- sneaky
- backstairs
- furtive
- stealthy
- secret
- hole-and-corner
- undisclosed
- privy
- behind-the-scenes
- hush-hush
- confidential
- hugger-mugger
- hidden
- classified
- restricted
- top secret
- secreted
- back-channel
- off-the-books
- concealed
- closed-door
- off-the-record
- subterranean
- unadvertised
- unexposed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- overt
- public
- open
- avowed
- straightforward
- obvious
- acknowledged
- undisguised
- plain
- evident
- unrestricted
- unconcealed
- aboveboard
- unclassified
- clear
- manifest
- patent
underhanded
2 of 2adverb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- underhand
- underhandedly
- stealthily
- underground
- undercover
- secretively
- surreptitiously
- sneakily
- furtively
- covertly
- collusively
- clandestinely
- conspiratorially
- à deux
- offstage
- offscreen
- tête-à-tête
- inwardly
- sotto voce
- secretly
- privately
- intimately
- backstage
- confidentially
- in camera
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- publicly
- openly
Synonym Chooser
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.
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.
The meanings of covert and underhanded largely overlap; however, covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared.
Although the words furtive and underhanded have much in common, furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness.
While the synonyms secret and underhanded are close in meaning, secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive.
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 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.