back-handed
adjective B2
Plain meaning
indirect and often insulting while seeming polite
Exam-register meaning
In exam writing, it can express indirect and often insulting while seeming polite in a clearer or more formal way.
In context
naturalHis response sounded back-handed, so the conversation became difficult.
examThe passage presents a back-handed assessment of the policy’s wider consequences.
Common collocations
a back-handed responseback-handed behavioura back-handed situation
Watch out
Do not use “very back-handed” automatically; some advanced adjectives already carry a strong meaning or need a more natural intensifier.
Word family
back (handedness (noun, where natural))back (handedly (adverb, where natural))