backhanded
/ˈbækˌhændɪd/
adverb
- In a backhanded manner; with the back of the hand or in an indirect, sarcastic way.
- She smiled backhanded when she said she loved his new haircut.
- He waved backhanded at the crowd, barely acknowledging them.
- The politician answered backhanded, avoiding a direct response to the question.
adjective
- Indirect and often insulting, especially in a way that seems like a compliment or is not openly hostile.
- The review was full of backhanded praise, calling the movie 'ambitious but flawed.'
- His backhanded remark about her cooking made everyone at the table uncomfortable.
- She gave him a backhanded compliment by saying he was surprisingly smart for an athlete.
- Done with the back of the hand facing outward, as in a backhanded stroke or slap.
- A backhanded wave is often used to signal someone to go away.
- The tennis player practiced her backhanded swing for hours to improve her game.
- He delivered a backhanded slap across his opponent's face during the argument.