backhanded
Praise that stings
Backhanded describes something done with the back of the hand facing forward—a backhanded stroke in tennis, a backhanded slap.
The figurative sense dominates: a backhanded compliment seems positive but contains an insult or criticism: Saying she's "pretty smart for a blonde" is backhanded.
Backhanded can also mean indirect or underhanded: backhanded methods.
Feigning belief or feeling
- double-edgedHaving opposite effects
- veiledConcealed or obscured
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
- patronizingTreating someone as inferior
condescending · snide · left-handed · disguised · mocking · passive-aggressive · underhanded · sly
Concealed or obscured
- snideDerisively insinuating
- disparagingExpressing negative judgment
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
- demeaningCausing loss of respect
insinuating · undermining · contemptuous · mocking · sneering · dismissive · scornful · sardonic
Not straight or immediate
- obliqueAngled, not straightforward
- roundaboutCircular junction for traffic
- circuitousIndirect, winding path
- evasiveAvoiding direct response
sly · devious · underhanded · sneaky · covert · subtle · crafty · duplicitous
Racquet sport over net
- racquetStringed hitting implement
- slicePortion cut off
- topspinForward ball rotation
- backspinReverse rotation on ball
grip · swing · volley · crosscourt · down the line · one-handed · two-handed · footwork
insincere
Feigning belief or feeling
- double-edgedHaving opposite effects
- veiledConcealed or obscured
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
patronizing · condescending · snide · left-handed · disguised · mocking · passive-aggressive · underhanded · sly · disparaging
veiled
Concealed or obscured
- snideDerisively insinuating
- disparagingExpressing negative judgment
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
demeaning · insinuating · undermining · contemptuous · mocking · sneering · dismissive · scornful · sardonic · denigrating
indirect
Not straight or immediate
- obliqueAngled, not straightforward
- roundaboutCircular junction for traffic
- circuitousIndirect, winding path
evasive · sly · devious · underhanded · sneaky · covert · subtle · crafty · duplicitous · scheming
tennis
Racquet sport over net
backspin · grip · swing · volley · crosscourt · down the line · one-handed · two-handed · footwork · follow-through
- ___-handed wordsleft-handed, right-handed, two-handed, one-handed, empty-handed
- feedbackcomment, comments, constructive, complaint, reviews
- indirecthint, detour, roundabout, evasive, veiled
backhandedsincere
Genuinely felt, not feigned
genuine · heartfelt · wholehearted · unfeigned · authentic
backhandeddirect
Undeviating or to guide
straightforward · frank · forthright · candid · plain
- backhanded complimentPraise that subtly insults
- backhanded remarksInsults disguised as praise
- two-handed backhand
- backhand throwCross-body disc release
- backhand gripRacket grasp for reverse strokes
- backhand driveStroke from weaker side
backhand, backhander, backhands, backhanding, backhanders, backhandedly, backhandedness, backhanded compliment