: marked by secrecy, chicanery, and deception : not honest and aboveboard : sly
an underhanded attempt to gain power
underhandedly
adverb
underhandedness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of underhanded in a Sentence
Adjective
the commercial is a part of an underhanded PR campaign to whitewash the company's environmental record
an underhanded attempt at infiltrating the other party's headquarters
Recent Examples on the Web
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 9 Aug. 2024
Adding to the problem is the issue that gifted programs are often disproportionately full of white and Asian students, a problem consistent enough that critics of gifted programs describe them as underhanded ways to maintain school segregation.
—Constance Grady, Vox, 5 Aug. 2024
In some cases, the opposition have used underhanded tactics.
—Todd A. Price, USA TODAY, 27 July 2024
Fun fact: Barry shoots free-throws underhanded, a shot perfected by his father.
—John Frank, Axios, 21 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for underhanded 
Adjective
This time around the election will be rife with underhanded insults.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 9 Aug. 2024
Adding to the problem is the issue that gifted programs are often disproportionately full of white and Asian students, a problem consistent enough that critics of gifted programs describe them as underhanded ways to maintain school segregation.
—Constance Grady, Vox, 5 Aug. 2024
In some cases, the opposition have used underhanded tactics.
—Todd A. Price, USA TODAY, 27 July 2024
Fun fact: Barry shoots free-throws underhanded, a shot perfected by his father.
—John Frank, Axios, 21 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for underhanded
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'underhanded.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near underhanded
Cite this Entry
“Underhanded.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underhanded. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
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