What does underhandedness mean?
Underhandedness refers to the quality or state of being deceitful or dishonest, often in a subtle or sneaky way. It can be used to describe behavior that is intentionally misleading or deceptive, but not necessarily overtly so. The term is often used in both formal and informal contexts, and can be applied to individuals or organizations. In politics, underhandedness can refer to tactics such as lying, cheating, or stealing, while in business, it can refer to practices such as price-fixing or insider trading. Overall, underhandedness is a term that implies a lack of integrity or honesty, and is often used to criticize behavior that is perceived as unfair or unethical.
nounThe quality or state of being deceitful or dishonest, often in a subtle or sneaky way.
- The quality or state of being deceitful or dishonest, often in a subtle or sneaky way.
"The politician's underhandedness in the campaign was widely criticized."
"The politician's underhandedness in the campaign was widely criticized."
"The company's underhandedness in their business practices was exposed by the media."
The plural form underhandednesses is used to describe multiple instances of deceitful or dishonest behavior.
"The company's underhandednesses in their business practices were exposed by the media."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of underhandedness
The word underhandedness is derived from the phrase 'underhand', which means 'done or made in a deceitful or dishonest way'. This phrase is thought to have originated in the 15th century, and is likely related to the word 'hand', which can refer to a person's actions or behavior. The suffix '-ness' was added to the phrase to form the noun underhandedness, which has been in use since the 17th century.
Usage notes
Underhandedness is often used to describe behavior that is deceitful or dishonest, but not necessarily overtly so. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.