Backhander – Meaning, Definition, Synonyms and Antonyms
Backhander is a noun in English. It refers to a secret or unofficial payment, usually connected to bribery or other corrupt deals.
Meaning:
A backhander is an extra payment offered “off the books,” often to influence an outcome, secure a favor, or get a contract approved. While the term is commonly used in contexts involving corruption, it can also appear in everyday speech to describe under-the-table favors or hidden inducements.
Definition:
Backhander typically shows up in contexts of bribery, corruption, or payoffs. In sports, particularly tennis, a backhander refers to a shot made with the racket swung across the body, commonly with the back of the hand leading.
Example Sentences:
- The investigation found that the official accepted a backhander to influence the match’s result.
- She was accused of offering a backhander to win the procurement contract.
- During practice, the coach corrected his grip so his backhander stayed consistent under pressure.
- The company was fined for trying to use a backhander to secure the bid.
- In the report, the journalist described a pattern of payments that looked like backhander arrangements rather than legitimate expenses.
Backhander synonyms:
- Backstab (in a figurative sense of betrayal tied to secret dealings)
- Bribe
- Kickback
- Grease
- Sweetener
- Payoff
- Under-the-table payment
- Improper inducement
Backhander Antonyms:
- Honesty
- Integrity
- Transparency
- Fairness
- Legitimacy
- Compliance
- Accountability
- Ethical conduct
Explore more Backstab words starting with B to build related vocabulary, including terms that describe trust, fairness, and hidden wrongdoing.
Also, if you’re comparing word choices in different contexts, check how game is used in both formal and informal English, since similar phrasing can appear in discussions of strategy, conduct, and rules.
To strengthen your writing about risks and decisions, you may also want to review gamble, a common contrast when a person chooses to act improperly despite consequences.
Finally, for a practical vocabulary connection to lawful incentives, see reward to distinguish legitimate compensation from corrupt “extra” payments.
