: a compliment that implies it is not really a compliment at all She paid me a backhanded compliment when she said my work was "surprisingly good."

What is the point of backhanded compliment?

What Is A Backhanded Compliment? A backhanded compliment is any comment that blurs the line between an insult and a compliment. These comments are also sometimes known as left-handed compliments or stealth insults.

What does it mean when someone says backhanded?

1 : indirect, devious especially : sarcastic a backhanded compliment. 2 : using or made with a backhand.