Underhand

/ˌʌndərˈhænd/
adjective

Describes something done secretly and dishonestly.

He won the competition through underhand methods.
Visual representation of "underhand" - Describes something done secretly and dishonestly

Often appears as...

  • underhand methods
  • underhand tactics

Usage tips

Disapproving

adjective

Describes a way of throwing or hitting a ball in sports where the hand is swung below shoulder level.

He made an underhand throw to get the ball to the catcher.
Visual representation of "underhand" - Describes a way of throwing or hitting a ball in sports where the hand is swung below shoulder level

Often appears as...

  • underhand throw
  • underhand serve
adjective

Describes something done secretly and dishonestly.

He won the competition through underhand methods.
Visual representation of "underhand" - Describes something done secretly and dishonestly

Often appears as...

  • underhand methods
  • underhand tactics

Usage tips

Disapproving

adjective

Describes a way of throwing or hitting a ball in sports where the hand is swung below shoulder level.

He made an underhand throw to get the ball to the catcher.
Visual representation of "underhand" - Describes a way of throwing or hitting a ball in sports where the hand is swung below shoulder level

Often appears as...

  • underhand throw
  • underhand serve
Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "underhand"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Connotation

Underhand often implies unethical or unfair behavior, invoking a sense of disapproval.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
His underhand approach to business angered many clients.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Secrecy Element

When something is underhand, it's usually hidden from public view or done without openly admitting.

Illustration for Secrecy Element
They engaged in underhand negotiations to avoid attention.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Subtle Nuances

Watch for nuanced differences; underhand actions might be legal but still frowned upon.

Illustration for Subtle Nuances
The politician's underhand comments were technically within the rules.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Connotation

Underhand often implies unethical or unfair behavior, invoking a sense of disapproval.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
His underhand approach to business angered many clients.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Secrecy Element

When something is underhand, it's usually hidden from public view or done without openly admitting.

Illustration for Secrecy Element
They engaged in underhand negotiations to avoid attention.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Subtle Nuances

Watch for nuanced differences; underhand actions might be legal but still frowned upon.

Illustration for Subtle Nuances
The politician's underhand comments were technically within the rules.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Connotation

Underhand often implies unethical or unfair behavior, invoking a sense of disapproval.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
His underhand approach to business angered many clients.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Secrecy Element

When something is underhand, it's usually hidden from public view or done without openly admitting.

Illustration for Secrecy Element
They engaged in underhand negotiations to avoid attention.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Subtle Nuances

Watch for nuanced differences; underhand actions might be legal but still frowned upon.

Illustration for Subtle Nuances
The politician's underhand comments were technically within the rules.
Visual representation of the word "Underhand"

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Video examples

Knot Bombshell PIPE...

it not a loop of white a bite this is a bite I really really want to call this a loop not a loop don't do it don't do it cuz there is a loop Mike showed me the basic building blocks of all knots in addition to the bite there's the overhand loop the underhand loop the

Video examples

Knot Bombshell PIPE...

it not a loop of white a bite this is a bite I really really want to call this a loop not a loop don't do it don't do it cuz there is a loop Mike showed me the basic building blocks of all knots in addition to the bite there's the overhand loop the underhand loop the

Example 1 of 1

Quote examples

Ashton Eaton

American Athlete

The first sport I played was baseball. I remember being on the Little League team and someone pitching the ball to me for the first time. I was ready to no longer hit the ball off the tee, and an adult pitched it to me underhand.
Portrait of Ashton Eaton

Quote examples

Rhea Pillai

Indian Model

As Leander does not have a strong case in court, he is resorting to underhand tactics through a few tabloids from time to time to malign my name publicly, without any proof to back his claims.
Portrait of Rhea Pillai

Quote examples

Ian St. John

Scottish Athlete

If I had been trying to take the job away from him in a sneaky, underhand manner, then I deserved all I got. But it was the other way around. I was trying to get him the job.
Portrait of Ian St. John

Quote examples

Mike Bartlett

I am not entirely off grid. I send a lot of email. But the way Facebook constantly alters its privacy settings to bamboozle you into giving more away is just underhand.
Portrait of Mike Bartlett

Quote examples

Chief Bender

American Athlete

I use fast curves, pitched overhand and sidearm, fastballs, high and inside, and an underhand fade away pitch with the hand almost down to the level of the knees.
Portrait of Chief Bender

Quote examples

E-40

American Musician

Rick Barry always amazed me - he was one of the best free-throw shooters of all time, and he used to throw it underhand.
Portrait of E-40

Quote examples

Jennie Finch

American Athlete

Throwing a ball is not natural, whether it's overhand or underhand.
Portrait of Jennie Finch

Quote examples

Mohsin Hamid

Pakistani Writer

How many big businesses don't resort to underhand means?
Portrait of Mohsin Hamid

Quote examples

Ty Cobb

American Athlete

I may have been fierce, but never low or underhand.
Portrait of Ty Cobb

Quote examples

Ashton Eaton

American Athlete

The first sport I played was baseball. I remember being on the Little League team and someone pitching the ball to me for the first time. I was ready to no longer hit the ball off the tee, and an adult pitched it to me underhand.
Portrait of Ashton Eaton

Quote examples

Rhea Pillai

Indian Model

As Leander does not have a strong case in court, he is resorting to underhand tactics through a few tabloids from time to time to malign my name publicly, without any proof to back his claims.
Portrait of Rhea Pillai

Quote examples

Ian St. John

Scottish Athlete

If I had been trying to take the job away from him in a sneaky, underhand manner, then I deserved all I got. But it was the other way around. I was trying to get him the job.
Portrait of Ian St. John

Quote examples

Mike Bartlett

I am not entirely off grid. I send a lot of email. But the way Facebook constantly alters its privacy settings to bamboozle you into giving more away is just underhand.
Portrait of Mike Bartlett

Quote examples

Chief Bender

American Athlete

I use fast curves, pitched overhand and sidearm, fastballs, high and inside, and an underhand fade away pitch with the hand almost down to the level of the knees.
Portrait of Chief Bender

Quote examples

E-40

American Musician

Rick Barry always amazed me - he was one of the best free-throw shooters of all time, and he used to throw it underhand.
Portrait of E-40

Quote examples

Jennie Finch

American Athlete

Throwing a ball is not natural, whether it's overhand or underhand.
Portrait of Jennie Finch

Quote examples

Mohsin Hamid

Pakistani Writer

How many big businesses don't resort to underhand means?
Portrait of Mohsin Hamid

Quote examples

Ty Cobb

American Athlete

I may have been fierce, but never low or underhand.
Portrait of Ty Cobb
Example 1 of 9
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