Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
By insisting defensively that you’re “not a generally careless person,” in fact, you’re backhandedly validating his view that marriage is a competence contest.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 1, 2021
Instead, she praised it backhandedly as “a shallow masterpiece” that is “overwrought” with “obvious penny-dreadful popular theatrics.”
From Slate ● Nov. 1, 2015
Rather, Kim points the finger at another alleged culprit: the South Korean government, which she argues backhandedly encouraged this largely illegal trade.
From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2014
The sensibilities tied together by each of these pieces can seem far apart, but the band does the job backhandedly, as if it’s no big thing; theirs is a particularly Chicago mind-set, strong-willed and unpretentious.
From New York Times ● Aug. 17, 2012
Relative to the city, it was hardly the most thrilling of places – though if I picked the right records, I could hear my environment being bemoaned and backhandedly celebrated in terms I instantly understood.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 2, 2010
