underhanded

/ˌˈʌndərˌhændəd/

Use the adjective underhanded to describe someone who plays dirty tricks, like a cheating poker player or a manipulative classmate.

It would be underhanded to spread gossip about your opponent during a student council election, just as it's underhanded for a business owner to pay herself more while laying off workers. If it's unfair and sneaky, it's underhanded — unless you're pitching a softball, in which case you're simply throwing it from below your shoulder instead of above.

Definitions of underhanded

1. adjective

   marked by deception
   synonyms: sneaky, underhand

   corrupt, crooked

   not straight; dishonest or immoral or evasive
2. adjective

   with hand brought forward and up from below shoulder level
   synonyms: underarm, underhand