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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of backhander
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
When Clayton Keller popped a backhander over Fleury a few minutes later, the rout was on.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 28 Feb. 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
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
When Clayton Keller popped a backhander over Fleury a few minutes later, the rout was on.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 28 Feb. 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
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Andrew Do, the former Orange County supervisor who took more than $550,000 in bribes over COVID-relief money meant to buy meals for needy, elderly constituents, was sentenced Monday to five years in federal prison.—
Christopher Goffard,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
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These include: Scott Jenkins, the former sheriff of Culpeper County, Virginia, who was convicted of accepting more than $75,000 in bribes in exchange for appointing individuals as auxiliary deputies.—
Peter Aitken
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backhander.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backhander. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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