as in double
not being or expressing what one appears to be or express
"I'm amazed you did so well" is a bit of a backhanded compliment
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of backhanded
That’s probably more of a backhanded compliment than Chaney deserves.
—
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 Jan. 2025
But a Good Time: The Uncensored Story of ‘80s Hair Metal
Petrucci recalls the backhanded compliments of her male peers
Roxy Petrucci knew her talents on the drums were unlike any other — male or female.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 8 Oct. 2024
Memes documenting the backhanded—if well-intentioned—line popped up instantaneously.
—Lindy Segal, Glamour, 18 Dec. 2024
Draisaitl was the beneficiary of a beautiful, backhanded pass from Darnell Nurse to further extend the lead before veteran Corey Perry scored from distance.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for backhanded
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 Jan. 2025
But a Good Time: The Uncensored Story of ‘80s Hair Metal
Petrucci recalls the backhanded compliments of her male peers
Roxy Petrucci knew her talents on the drums were unlike any other — male or female.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 8 Oct. 2024
Memes documenting the backhanded—if well-intentioned—line popped up instantaneously.
—Lindy Segal, Glamour, 18 Dec. 2024
Draisaitl was the beneficiary of a beautiful, backhanded pass from Darnell Nurse to further extend the lead before veteran Corey Perry scored from distance.
—Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for backhanded
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backhanded
Adjective
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McIlroy bogeyed the island-green hole after missing a 9-foot putt for par, but Spaun fared far worse, sending his tee shot into the water and eventually making triple bogey, including missing a 10-foot putt for double.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
18 Mar. 2025
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Her modern, minimalist pieces—such as a black bowl with a double lip and a beige cup with a crackled, rustlike patina—had already made frequent appearances at the salon.—
Rebekah Peppler,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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North Korean group Famous Chollima created fake LinkedIn profiles and used AI for job interviews to land positions at tech companies.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
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However, the boom in AI image generation and the availability of photo editing software mean that fake images are easier to create than ever.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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By After Testing Over 30 Best Sellers By Siena Gagliano Unlike balms, which can make lip color slide around, a primer locks it in while keeping lips soft and comfortable.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
2 Mar. 2025
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For lip color, reach for the Merit Beauty Signature lipsticks.—
Loren Savini,
Allure,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The woman is long gone, so Freer has to imagine her consent — in a history so full of gaps, coercion, and disappearance, a pretended connection is better than none at all.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2022
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What most activates Dunn’s rage is the misogyny that only deepened amid all the pretended freedoms of the counterculture.—
Sam Sacks,
WSJ,
11 Nov. 2022
Adjective
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The Schimel campaign called the Wisconsin Democrats’ efforts hypocritical, referencing reporting that Crawford participated in a donor advisory briefing.—
Caroline Vakil,
The Hill,
10 Mar. 2025
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But spending taxpayer money for anything short of necessities comes off as hypocritical, at best, especially for Trump, as his administration guts federal agencies — including those Central Floridians rely on during times of their greatest need.—
The Orlando Sentinel and Santa Cruz Sentinel editorial boards,
Orlando Sentinel,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Even insincere inquiries are generally appreciated.—
Aditi Shrikant,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2025
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Trump must be laughing about Newsom’s obviously insincere flattery and being able to make the governor jump through his hoops.—
Dan Walters,
The Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This includes evaluating how alternate energy sources can supplement strained grids, especially in regions where rapid economic expansion may outpace existing energy infrastructure.—
Whitaker Irvin Jr.,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
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Listen to this article GLENDALE, Ariz. — Austin Slater became the latest Chicago White Sox outfielder slowed by an injury after he was scratched from Monday’s lineup because of a strained left oblique.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The nurse sustained a superficial wound to his cheek and was treated off of the island, officials said.—
Graham Rayman,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2025
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Consumers and fans connect with authenticity, not a superficial redesign.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to backhanded
Cite this Entry
“Backhanded.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backhanded. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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