Cunning
Cunning adjective - Clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means.
Usage example: a cunning, underhanded plan to win the election by preying on people's fears and prejudices
Underhand is a synonym for cunning. In some cases you can use "Underhand" instead an adjective "Cunning".
Nearby Word: cunningly
Underhand
Underhand adjective - Given to or marked by cheating and deception.
Usage example: willing to stoop to underhand methods in order to win
Cunning is a synonym for underhand in deceitful topic. Sometimes you can use "Cunning" instead an adjective "Underhand", if it concerns topics such as devious.
Nearby Word: underhanded
Mutual synonyms
Both words in one sentence
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The Chessmaster Is known for being a cunning, even ruthless promotor who often relies in underhand business tactics.
Source: Wrestling / Antonio Inoki -
Anti-Hero: Ralph Whelan is not a truly evil man, but he's very manipulative and cunning, and isn't afraid to use more underhand methods (or people!) to get what he wants.
Source: Series / Indian Summers - Malevolent's generals conformed to quirky miniboss standards: Serpine was the cunning, devious, underhand and stealthy one, Venginous was the Zealot who was used to try to bring back their Eldritch Abomination Gods, and Vile was his one man army of destruction used to wipe out everything in his way.
Source: The Dreaded / Literature
Cite this Source
Underhand and Cunning. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/cunning/underhand
Cunning & Underhand. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/cunning/underhand>.
Underhand or Cunning. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/cunning/underhand.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "cunning" and "underhand" have occurred on timeline