World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesUnderhand
/ˈʌn.dɚ.hænd/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
Acting or done in a secret, dishonest, or clandestine way.
"The politician lost the election after his underhand tactics were exposed by the press."
- 1
With the hand brought forward and upward from below the shoulder level.
"She pitched the softball underhand to the younger children."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from Middle English, originally referring to a bowling or pitching style where the ball is released below shoulder level, dating back to the 15th century. Over time, the physical posture of keeping one's hand low or hidden metaphorically shifted to describe secret, sly, or deceitful actions performed clandestinely.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Underhand"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Underhand" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
sournois
Transliteration: /suʁ.nwa/
"Il a utilisé des méthodes sournoises pour gagner."
hinterhändig
Transliteration: /ˈhɪntɐˌhɛndɪç/
"Sie wandte hinterhändige Methoden an, um an die Macht zu kommen."
sleale
Transliteration: /sleˈa.le/
"Ha usato tattiche sleali per vincere la competizione."
bajamano
Transliteration: /baxaˈmano/
"Descubrieron sus tácticas bajamanos durante las negociaciones."
sub-reptício
Transliteration: /su.bɾepˈti.si.u/
"Ele recorreu a artimanhas sub-reptícias para conseguir o contrato."
छलपूर्ण
Transliteration: chhalpurna
"उसने जीतने के लिए छलपूर्ण तरीकों का इस्तेमाल किया।"
卑鄙的
Transliteration: bēibǐ de
"他用卑鄙的手段赢得了比赛。"
비열한
Transliteration: biyeorhan
"그는 비열한 수단을 동원해 승리를 거두었다."
卑劣な
Transliteration: hiretsu na
"彼は卑劣な手段を使って競争に勝った。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all English termsThe detailed examination and evaluation of one's own thoughts, motives, actions, or psychological state.
Casual or unverified conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as true.
An aquatic or terrestrial annelid worm that has a sucker at each end and feeds on the blood of vertebrates.
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