What does underhanded mean?
Underhanded is an adjective for conduct, methods, or people marked by deception, concealment, or a sly disregard for the rules. Its usual implication is not merely that an action is unusual, but that it is intended to give an unfair advantage or to avoid honest scrutiny: underhanded dealings, for example, involve secret or crooked arrangements rather than open competition. The word is strongly negative and is especially common in political, business, legal, and sports reporting, though it can describe any perceived act of cheating. It may also be applied to an attempt or strategy that is covert because the person pursuing it fears a fair contest. Underhanded is closely related to underhand, which can carry a similar figurative sense but may additionally refer literally to a style of bowling delivered with the hand below the shoulder. Knowing the distinction helps readers recognize whether a source is describing a particular technique or accusing someone of indirect deception.
adjectiveDishonest, sly, or designed to achieve an end by devious means.
- Dishonest, sly, or intended to gain an unfair advantage through devious means.
- Covert or indirect in a way intended to avoid scrutiny or a fair contest.
"The committee condemned the underhanded attempts to influence the vote."
"The company dismissed the employee for engaging in underhanded dealings with competitors."
"Critics dismissed the proposal as an underhanded attempt to weaken the independent review process."
Underhanded warns that what lies beneath an apparent handshake may be a scheme.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of underhanded
Underhanded is an English compound formed from underhand and the suffix -ed. Its parent word underhand had already acquired a figurative sense meaning secret, sly, or done out of sight. By the early nineteenth century, underhanded was established as an adjective for devious and deceitful conduct.
Related word forms
How underhanded is actually used
The word is strongly disapproving and often has an accusatory or investigative tone. It is especially frequent in political, business, legal, and sports contexts.
Easily confused with underhanded
Underhanded means sly or devious, whereas underhand can mean the same figuratively but may also literally describe a style of bowling delivered with the hand below the shoulder.