Thesaurus results for BACKHANDERS

backhanders

noun

plural of backhander, British

as in bribes

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of backhanders Kane’s backhanders have been replaced by Bedard’s one-timers. — Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 23 July 2026 His mining deals in Congo, NGOs alleged, relied on schemes like kickbacks and backhanders. — Nicolas Niarchos, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for backhanders

bribes

Noun

The state attorney general was accused of accepting bribes and abusing his office to help a political donor whom the FBI was investigating.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
Prosecutors accused Smith and at least 26 other named defendants of wagering millions of dollars and paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to players in bribes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of bribes

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backhanders

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“Backhanders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backhanders. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of backhanders

noun

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