underhanded

[uhn-der-han-did]

adjective

1. not open and aboveboard; secret and crafty or dishonorable.

   The firm's underhanded tactics and misrepresentation of data has created uncertainty and confusion.

2. underhand.

   The pitcher made an underhanded throw to first base.

3. short-handed.

   By the time of the Navy game, Army usually finds itself underhanded.

underhanded

/ ˌʌndəˈhændɪd /

adjective

1. another word for underhand short-handed

Other Word Forms

• underhandedness noun
• underhandedly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of underhanded¹

First recorded in 1820–25; under- + handed

Example Sentences

Sensing Tatis converging from right field, center fielder Jackson Merrill briefly hesitated while pursuing the drive, before awkwardly reaching for it with an underhanded attempt.

From Los Angeles Times

Local 99 of Services Employees International Union says the district has been underhanded by keeping many employees working fewer than four hours per day.

From Los Angeles Times

Serves are underhanded and aces are slow, intricately placed shots that bounce at an angle off the side glass.

From Los Angeles Times

She accused Safe Hands's bosses of doing "an underhanded, ruthless thing".

From BBC

He’d told Rowan he was going to teach him to infiltrate leftist groups, but Williams’ real goal was far more underhanded.

From Salon

Related Words

• devious 
• dishonest 
• fraudulent 
• shady 
• sneaky 
• subversive 
• unethical 
• unscrupulous 
• wily