adjective
underhanded
adjective
1
Dishonest, sly, or deceitful.
"They accused the manager of underhanded business practices."
"It was an underhanded way to win the vote."
2
Short-staffed.
"The restaurant was underhanded on the busiest night of the year."
How to Use Underhanded
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSneaky and dishonest, usually describing tactics or behavior.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with underhand (the throwing motion) — underhanded almost always means dishonest.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
underhanded tactics
underhanded scheme
Word Forms
more underhanded comparative, more underhanded comparative, the underhanded plural, most underhanded superlative, most underhanded superlative
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Etymology
From under- + handed.