underhandedness
Dishonest secret dealing
Underhandedness is sneaky or deceptive behavior, especially when it involves dishonest methods to gain an advantage.
The word carries strong moral disapproval—someone accused of underhandedness has acted in bad faith, concealing their true motives or methods: The deal collapsed when his underhandedness came to light.
The image comes from a hand moving secretly beneath the table.
Intentional misleading of others
- dishonestyDisposition toward falsehood
- duplicityDeliberate misleading behavior
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- misrepresentationFalse or misleading statement
falseness · imposture · sham · hoax · swindle · forgery · counterfeit · fabrication
Sly, strategic dishonesty
- craftinessShrewd, devious cleverness
- slynessCunning in manner
- wilinessShrewd deceptive cleverness
- foxinessShrewd, cunning nature
artfulness · shrewdness · deviousness · chicanery · trickery · subterfuge · scheming · conniving
Pressured compliance through threats
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- maneuveringSkillful directional control
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- power-playCoercive tactical advantage
leverage · string-pulling · arm-twisting · puppeteering · orchestration · engineering · gerrymandering · rigging
Corrupt payment for influence
- graftIllicit political gain
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- kickbackIllegal payment for services
- extortionObtaining through threats
malfeasance · misappropriation · racketeering · profiteering · skimming · nepotism · cronyism · venality
Secretly cautious in movement
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- secretiveInclined to conceal
sneaky · cloak-and-dagger · backroom · behind-the-scenes · backdoor · under-the-table · hidden · veiled
deception
Intentional misleading of others
- dishonestyDisposition toward falsehood
- duplicityDeliberate misleading behavior
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
misrepresentation · falseness · imposture · sham · hoax · swindle · forgery · counterfeit · fabrication · pretense
guile
Sly, strategic dishonesty
- craftinessShrewd, devious cleverness
- slynessCunning in manner
- wilinessShrewd deceptive cleverness
foxiness · artfulness · shrewdness · deviousness · chicanery · trickery · subterfuge · scheming · conniving · machination
coercion
Pressured compliance through threats
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- maneuveringSkillful directional control
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
power-play · leverage · string-pulling · arm-twisting · puppeteering · orchestration · engineering · gerrymandering · rigging · fixing
bribery
Corrupt payment for influence
- graftIllicit political gain
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- kickbackIllegal payment for services
extortion · malfeasance · misappropriation · racketeering · profiteering · skimming · nepotism · cronyism · venality · sleaze
stealthy
Secretly cautious in movement
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
secretive · sneaky · cloak-and-dagger · backroom · behind-the-scenes · backdoor · under-the-table · hidden · veiled · concealed
- cunningcunning, craftiness, crafty, guile, slyness
underhandednesshonesty
Truthfulness, sincerity
integrity · rectitude · probity · uprightness · honor
underhandednessstraightforwardness
Quality of being direct
forthrightness · openness · candor · directness · frankness