backhanded

Adjective
Synonyms: backhand

Open English WordNet

Adjective (2)

  1. (of racket strokes) made across the body with back of hand facing direction of strokeSynonyms: backhand
  2. roundabout or ambiguous“attacks from that source amounted to a backhanded compliment to his integrity”“a backhanded and dishonest way of reaching his goal”Opposite directSimilar indirect
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Back′hand′ed adjective

1. With the hand turned backward; as, a backhanded blow.

2. Indirect; awkward; insincere; sarcastic; as, a backhanded compliment.

3. Turned back, or inclining to the left; as, backhanded letters.

back′hand′ed adjective & adverb

Sport Stroked with a backhand{2}; as, a backhanded drive.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54 · with additions: GCIDE editors

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