backhanded

adjective
UK: /ˌbækˈhændɪd/
US: /ˌbækˈhændɪd/

  1. Said in a way that seems like a compliment but is really an insult.

    1. That sounds like a backhanded compliment to me. [ ] [ ]
    2. He gave her a backhanded compliment about her presentation skills, noting her enthusiasm but criticizing her lack of preparation. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

ambiguous indirect ironic sarcastic
backhanded adjective

  1. Done with the back of the hand turned in the direction in which you are moving.

    1. He used a backhanded motion to wipe his face. [ ] [ ]
    2. The tennis player's impressive backhanded shot won him the match, showcasing his skill and technique. [ ] [ ]
backhanded adverb

  1. Using insincere praise or indirect criticism.

    1. Her comment was a backhanded way of insulting me. [ ] [ ]
    2. The manager's feedback, though appearing positive, was ultimately a backhanded assessment of the employee's performance and potential. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The phonetic transcription of "backhanded" is /ˌbækˈhændɪd/ in British English and /ˌbækˈhændɪd/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "backhanded": ambiguous, indirect, ironic, sarcastic.

Example usage of "backhanded": "That sounds like a backhanded compliment to me.". More examples on the page.