[ US /ˈbækˌhændɪd/ ]
[ UK /bˈækhændɪd/ ]
ADJECTIVE
  1. (of racket strokes) made across the body with back of hand facing direction of stroke
  2. roundabout or ambiguous
    a backhanded and dishonest way of reaching his goal
    attacks from that source amounted to a backhanded compliment to his integrity

How To Use backhanded In A Sentence

  • The best thing about it, though (and this is going to sound like such a backhanded compliment…) is the opening credits.
  • She marched straight up to Cratyn, pulled him out of his chair and delivered a stinging backhanded slap across his face. TREASON KEEP
  • It's a backhanded reassurance, one that allows for cracks of doubt in the organization's trust-us mentality.
  • I guess this is kind of a backhanded compliment on the performances, but the reality is that the stage performance didn't help at all with the film.
  • The term "crowd pleaser" is a real backhanded compliment in comedy, being associated with stale, hackneyed, button-pushing routines. This week's new comedy
  • The term "crowd pleaser" is a real backhanded compliment in comedy, being associated with stale, hackneyed, button-pushing routines. This week's new comedy
  • I mean, neither of us is in the prime of youth anymore and this was a bit of a backhanded compliment.
  • Thank you for the backhanded compliment in admitting I'm intelligent.
  • This was a backhanded compliment: it implied that everyone was capable of appreciating the highest works of art, whatever their class or ethnic background.
  • In a backhanded way, I think a lot of my energy and strength comes from my campaigning.
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