as in bribe
something given or promised in order to improperly influence a person's conduct or decision
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
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Recent Examples of backhander
After Aho was called for a retaliatory roughing penalty on Anton Lundell, Verhaeghe posted up like a basketball player and roofed a backhander past Freddie Andersen under the bar for a 1-0 lead — his 31st career playoff goal in 82 games.
—
Michael Russo, New York Times, 21 May 2025
The center caught the pass and scored on a backhander from the top of the crease at 3:37.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
As Souliere scrambled back into the crease, Ali spun and fired a backhander that found the back of the net for a 3-1 Irish lead.
—Patrick Donnelly, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2025
In the first period, after taking an outlet pass in the neutral zone from Drew Doughty, McDavid punched the turbos, blew past McAvoy and catapulted a backhander over Hellebuyck for the game’s opening goal.
—Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backhander
Michael Russo, New York Times, 21 May 2025
The center caught the pass and scored on a backhander from the top of the crease at 3:37.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
As Souliere scrambled back into the crease, Ali spun and fired a backhander that found the back of the net for a 3-1 Irish lead.
—Patrick Donnelly, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2025
In the first period, after taking an outlet pass in the neutral zone from Drew Doughty, McDavid punched the turbos, blew past McAvoy and catapulted a backhander over Hellebuyck for the game’s opening goal.
—Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backhander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backhander
bribe
Noun
-
She was infamously shown stuffing $1,000 in cash bribes into her bra in a photo that was released by the feds.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
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Spagnuolo is very clear about supposed bribes paid by pharmaceutical companies in the context of purchases by Andis, to the tune of 5 to 8 percent, which were funneled directly into the pockets of the Menems and Karina.—
Agustino Fontevecchia,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backhander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backhander. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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