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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of backhander
Anaheim ended Buffalo's seven-game road winning streak when Tage Thompson couldn't keep in the puck in the Ducks' zone and Terry held on a 2-on-0 break to score on a backhander.
—
CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Minnesota managed just one shot on the man-advantage – a dangerous Vladimir Tarasenko backhander that Colorado goalie Scott Wedgewood turned aside.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
Keller retrieved the pass to herself, and one-timed a backhander underneath Canadian keeper Ann-Renée Desbiens.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
His mining deals in Congo, NGOs alleged, relied on schemes like kickbacks and backhanders.
—Nicolas Niarchos, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backhander
CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Minnesota managed just one shot on the man-advantage – a dangerous Vladimir Tarasenko backhander that Colorado goalie Scott Wedgewood turned aside.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2026
Keller retrieved the pass to herself, and one-timed a backhander underneath Canadian keeper Ann-Renée Desbiens.
—Sean Gregory, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
His mining deals in Congo, NGOs alleged, relied on schemes like kickbacks and backhanders.
—Nicolas Niarchos, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backhander
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backhander
bribe
Noun
-
Adani, one of the world’s richest people, was accused in 2024 of paying massive bribes to ensure the project’s success.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
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After a separate trial last year, a jury convicted Burke on four counts, including conspiracy and accepting a bribe.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backhander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backhander. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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