CultureJuly 17, 2026

underhandedness

/ˌʌndərˈhændɪdnəs/

Definition

The quality of being deceptive, sneaky, or using dishonest methods to achieve a goal.

Etymology

Derived from the adjective 'underhanded,' which originated in the 17th century to describe something done from below or secretly, combined with the suffix '-ness' to denote a state or quality.

In the news

In the film review, the author notes that Matt Damon's Odysseus rarely displays the cunning or underhandedness typically associated with the character, focusing instead on his internal trauma.

Review: Nolan’s “The Odyssey” burns the world entire

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