underhand
1 of 2adverb
un·der·hand ˈən-dər-ˌhand 
1
a
: in a clandestine manner
b
archaic : in a quiet or unobtrusive manner
2
: with an underhand motion
bowl underhand
pitch underhand
underhand
2 of 2adjective
1
: underhanded
2
: done so as to evade notice
3
: made with the hand brought forward and up from below the shoulder level
an underhand serve
Synonyms
Adjective
- bent [chiefly British]
- crooked
- deceptive
- dishonest
- double-dealing
- duplicitous
- fast
- fraudulent
- guileful
- rogue
- shady
- sharp
- shifty
- underhanded
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective willing to stoop to underhand methods in order to win the congressman's underhand attempt to slip several pork barrel items into the bill
Recent Examples on the Web
Kevin Acee, sandiegouniontribune.com, 27 May 2018 The reason this is important is that permission is being obtained in an underhand way—in effect being tricked out of us. Mark Dixon, Fortune, 24 May 2018 The game needs to help the bowlers more because the imbalance between bat and ball is one reason why bowlers and fielders have felt the need to alter the condition of the ball in an underhand way. Nick Compton, CNN, 30 Mar. 2018
Adjective
Makita’s practically underhand release is unlike any pitcher presently in the majors and few ever. Kevin Acee, sandiegouniontribune.com, 27 May 2018 The reason this is important is that permission is being obtained in an underhand way—in effect being tricked out of us. Mark Dixon, Fortune, 24 May 2018 The game needs to help the bowlers more because the imbalance between bat and ball is one reason why bowlers and fielders have felt the need to alter the condition of the ball in an underhand way. Nick Compton, CNN, 30 Mar. 2018 Word History
First Known Use
Adverb
1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adjective
1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
underhand 1 of 2
adverb
un·der·hand ˈən-dər-ˌhand
: with an upward movement of the hand or arm
She threw underhand.
underhand
2 of 2adjective
1
: done in secret or so as to deceive
underhand dealings
2
: made with an upward movement of the hand or arm
an underhand throw
underhand 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in deceptive
given to or marked by cheating and deception willing to stoop to underhand methods in order to win Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- deceptive
- fraudulent
- shady
- crooked
- dishonest
- underhanded
- fast
- duplicitous
- rogue
- shifty
- false
- guileful
- bent
- artful
- sharp
- unscrupulous
- unprincipled
- unethical
- double-dealing
- deceitful
- cunning
- treacherous
- subtle
- deceiving
- sly
- unconscionable
- devious
- wily
- sneaky
- slick
- delusive
- crafty
- perfidious
- insidious
- slippery
- cagey
- furtive
- deluding
- delusory
- tricky
- sneaking
- beguiling
- cagy
- foxy
- defrauding
- trickish
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- honest
- straight
- ethical
- honorable
- aboveboard
- scrupulous
- upright
- decent
- just
- straightforward
- conscientious
- forthright
2
as in clandestine
undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others the congressman's underhand attempt to slip several pork barrel items into the bill Synonyms & Similar Words
- clandestine
- sneak
- covert
- undercover
- underground
- sneaking
- underhanded
- private
- surreptitious
- stealth
- backstairs
- sneaky
- furtive
- secret
- stealthy
- hole-and-corner
- privy
- undisclosed
- hush-hush
- confidential
- hugger-mugger
- behind-the-scenes
- hidden
- restricted
- classified
- top secret
- secreted
- back-channel
- off-the-record
- concealed
- closed-door
- off-the-books
- subterranean
- unadvertised
- unexposed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- overt
- public
- open
- avowed
- straightforward
- obvious
- acknowledged
- undisguised
- plain
- aboveboard
- evident
- unrestricted
- unconcealed
- clear
- unclassified
- manifest
- patent
underhand
2 of 2adverb
as in underhanded
Synonyms & Similar Words
- underhanded
- underhandedly
- underground
- stealthily
- undercover
- furtively
- secretively
- surreptitiously
- sneakily
- covertly
- collusively
- clandestinely
- conspiratorially
- à deux
- offstage
- offscreen
- inwardly
- tête-à-tête
- sotto voce
- secretly
- privately
- intimately
- backstage
- confidentially
- in camera
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- publicly
- openly