backhander

noun

back·​hand·​er ˈbak-ˈhan-dər How to pronounce backhander (audio)
Synonyms of backhandernext
1
British : bribe
2
: a backhand shot

Synonyms of backhander

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Examples of backhander in a Sentence

She hit a backhander into the net. the customs official let us know that he might be prepared to look the other way if an appropriate backhander was slipped into his palm
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Benson tied it a minute into the second, slipping in a short backhander from the left side. — ABC News, 16 May 2026 Lyon stoned him on the first shot and then was able to recover and stop Mittelstadt’s backhander off the rebound. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026 With the teams skating 4-on-4 a minute later, Oettinger made a sprawling glove save on Matt Boldy backhander to keep the game tied. — Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 21 Apr. 2026 With the Knights on a power play and trailing 2-0, Pavel Dorofeyev drove the net and had his backhander stopped by Scott Wedgewood. — Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 25 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for backhander

Word History

First Known Use

1803, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of backhander was in 1803

Rhymes for backhander

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Browse Nearby Words

backhanded rope
backhander
backhaul
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Cite this Entry

“Backhander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backhander. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on backhander

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about backhander

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