Find Synonyms

underhanded Synonyms

Another word for underhanded

Choosing another word for underhanded depends on context, so the 15 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 4 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
JUMP TO:

• adjective (Context 1)

Acting or done in a secret, dishonest, or deceitful manner.

Usage Example

"The company was fined heavily for using underhand tactics to eliminate its smaller competitors."

Strongest
underhand
deceitful
sneaky
duplicitous
devious
Strong
shady
sly
dishonest
conniving
furtive

• adjective (Context 2)

Executed with the hand or arm brought forward and upward from below the level of the shoulder.

Usage Example

"She practiced her underhand serve until she could place the ball accurately in the back corner of the court."

Strongest
underhand
underarm

• adverb (Context 3)

With an upward motion of the hand and arm from below the level of the shoulder.

Usage Example

"He tossed the softball underhand so his young daughter could hit it easily."

Strongest
underhand
underarm

• adjective (Context 4)

Lacking the required or usual number of workers; short-handed.

Usage Example

"The hospital ward was severely short-handed during the holiday weekend."

Strongest
short-handed
understaffed
undermanned
short-staffed

Opposites of underhanded

The opposite of underhanded shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:

overhand
overhanded
aboveboard
honest
overarm
overstaffed
forthright
straightforward
See all opposites of underhanded

• Nearby Words

underground
undergrowth
underhand
underhanded
underhandedly
underhandedness
underinformed

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Underhanded. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/underhanded
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.