underhand

Adjective · Adverb
Synonyms: underhandedunderarmsneakyunderhandedly

WordNet 3.0

Adjective (2)

  1. with hand brought forward and up from below shoulder level“an underhand pitch”“an underhand stroke”Synonyms: underhandedunderarm
  2. marked by deception“achieved success in business only by underhand methods”Synonyms: sneakyunderhanded

Adverb (2)

  1. slyly and secretly“Mean revenge, committed underhand — John Donne”“oldline aristocratic diplomats underhandedly undermined the attempt...to align Germany with the Western democracies — C.G.Bowers”Synonyms: underhandedly
  2. with the hand swung below shoulder level“throwing a ball underarm”Synonyms: underarm
Advertisement

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Underhand \Un"der*hand`\ ([u^]n"d[~e]r*h[a^]nd`), a.

1.Secret; clandestine; hence, mean; unfair; fraudulent. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

2.(Baseball, Cricket, etc.) Done, as pitching, with the hand lower than the shoulder, or, as bowling, with the hand lower than the elbow. [1913 Webster]

Underhand \Un"der*hand`\ ([u^]n"d[~e]r*h[a^]nd`), adv.

1.By secret means; in a clandestine manner; hence, by fraud; unfairly; dishonorably. [1913 Webster]

Such mean revenge, committed underhand.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]
Baillie Macwheeble provided Janet, underhand, with meal for their maintenance.— Sir W. Scott.[1913 Webster]

Note: In modern usage, the sense is usually negative. [PJC]

2.(Baseball, Cricket, etc.) In an underhand manner; thrown with the hand no higher than the shoulder and the palm turned upward during part of the pitch; -- said of pitching or bowling a ball. [1913 Webster +PJC]

Advertisement