How to Use backhand in a Sentence

backhand

1 of 4 noun
Definition of backhandnext
Synonyms for backhandnext
  • She has a good backhand but a weak forehand.
  • Swiatek then missed a backhand, and Jabeur pushed things to the tiebreaker and led it 5-4.
    — CBS News, 10 Sep. 2022
  • Bozak went five-hole with a backhand to give St. Louis the lead 1:25 into the third.
    — Dan Greenspan, Star Tribune, 11 May 2021
  • Swiatek won the set on her third chance, when Sakkari hit a backhand into the net.
    — Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2022
  • Stephens settled herself and forged the break with a sliced backhand, and served for the match at 6-5.
    — Alex Coffey, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2021
  • Svejkovsky knocks the rebound of Schaefer’s shot out of the air and in with a backhand.
    — Dylan Bumbarger, oregonlive, 14 May 2022
  • Killorn pulled the puck to his backhand and lifted the shot over Mrazek at 14:42.
    — Erik Erlendsson, Star Tribune, 19 Apr. 2021
  • In the third set, Alcaraz earned a quick break for 1-0 when Djokovic hit a backhand into the net.
    — Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 16 July 2023
  • Alcaraz then cracked a backhand return of Djokovic’s serve down the line to knot the match at a set each.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 16 July 2023
  • The Padres had one out with a runner on first and the slow-footed Cruz at the plate when Ahmed went to his backhand.
    — Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 20 Apr. 2023
  • In the third, the forward had a breakaway chance on Grosenick, but his backhand try rolled off his stick.
    — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Sep. 2022
  • Ohtani turned, raised his glove, hopped up and caught it on his backhand, then turned again to throw to Jared Walsh at first.
    — Sarah Valenzuela, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2023
  • As her final backhand soared off court, the match was called for Brough with a final set of 9-7.
    — Sally H. Jacobs, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Aug. 2023
  • The Serb finally closed it out when Nadal hit a backhand wide on match point.
    — Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 11 June 2021
  • Her backhand was solid and smooth and found corners, flat and fast.
    — Gerald Marzorati, The New Yorker, 4 June 2022
  • Cagnoni gets knocked down carrying the puck to the net, but gets up and is all alone in front when the puck comes back to him for a backhand.
    — Dylan Bumbarger, oregonlive, 29 Jan. 2023
  • Garcia went up 5-2 on a forehand down the line and went on to win the set on an errant backhand by Gauff.
    — Helene Elliott, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2022
  • Jorge Mateo ranged to his right, went to his backhand to field the ball, jumped and made an off-balance throw to first.
    — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2022
  • Seguin finished a pretty goal on his backhand all by himself in front of the net.
    — Dallas News, 6 Jan. 2022
  • Alone in front of Shesterkin (20 saves), Nosek went forehand-backhand and slipped the puck past the netminder’s left pad.
    — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Mar. 2023
  • But Justin Turner ranged to his right and made a backhand grab and flip — all in one motion — to Yu Chang for the forceout.
    — Julian McWilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 29 July 2023
  • Their first set went on serve until Nadal over-hit a backhand and a forehand to give Tiafoe the break in the seventh game.
    — Helene Elliott, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2022
  • Michael Rasmussen sent the puck to the net, and Perron flicked a backhand shot over Charlie Lindgren.
    — Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, 20 Dec. 2022
  • Letunov tried to thread a backhand pass back to Greco but hit the leg of a Charlotte defender.
    — Hartford Courant, 10 Apr. 2022
  • David Krejci carried behind the net and dished out of a soft backhand feed from near the goal line.
    — Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Dec. 2022
  • Sock worked Beasley’s two-handed backhand, and Naveen struggled to keep his ground strokes and backhand blocks in the court.
    — Todd Boss, Forbes, 4 May 2023
  • Serving at 6-3 in the breaker, Djokovic won it when Kyrgios hit a backhand into the net.
    — Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 10 July 2022
  • When Zverev hit a backhand winner down the line that Djokovic didn't move for to close it out, Djokovic walked to the net where he was embraced by Zverev.
    — CBS News, 30 July 2021
  • When Zverev hit a backhand winner down the line that Djokovic didn’t move for to close it out, Djokovic walked to the net where he was embraced by Zverev.
    — BostonGlobe.com, 31 July 2021
  • Walman lost the puck, Crosby pounced, and one backhand shot later, the Penguins had a 2-0 lead.
    — Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2023
Advertisement

backhand

2 of 4 adjective
  • In the ninth, Robinson made a backhand grab of a Bench line drive.
    — Mike Klingaman, baltimoresun.com, 21 Oct. 2020
  • But as Chapman tried to make a backhand play on the move, the ball bounced off his glove.
    — Matt Kawahara, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Apr. 2021
  • Djokovic broke Tsitsipas in the third game of the fifth for a 2-1 lead when the Greek made a backhand error.
    — Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 13 June 2021
  • Kemp made a backhand stop and spinning throw of Jose Altuve’s 101-mph grounder up the middle in the third.
    — Matt Kawahara, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Sep. 2021
  • Nielsen drove to the net and tested Korpisalo with a backhand attempt in the opening minute of the game.
    — Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, 18 Jan. 2021
  • Buttazzoni puts a backhand one-time pass from the corner in front to Nguyen, who makes a quick move to get it past Hay.
    — Dylan Bumbarger, oregonlive, 11 Oct. 2022
  • Sosa took a step to his right, left his feet, fully extended and made a backhand snag.
    — Chuck Carlton, Dallas News, 12 June 2021
  • Williams held at love for 3-2, and then broke Ahn again at 15, closing it with a crackling backhand winner down the line.
    — Wayne Coffey, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2020
  • Nadal got a break back in closing to 5-3, but his backhand error gave Fritz another break and the set.
    — Fox News, 21 Mar. 2022
  • Chapman also had the defensive highlight of the night, a leaping backhand snag of Perez’s line drive in the fourth.
    — Matt Kawahara, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 June 2021
  • And with 2:35 to go in the first, the fourth line contributed for a third straight game after Nico Sturm redirected in a backhand feed from Nick Bjugstad.
    — Sarah McLellan, Star Tribune, 27 Feb. 2021
  • Smith tried, in one motion, to make a backhand catch and swipe a tag on Arozarena, but Smith rushed the play, and the ball squirted out of his glove and toward the backstop.
    — Mike Digiovanna Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2020
  • Seager tried for a backhand snag, but the ball skidded off his glove into center field.
    — Paul Newberry, ajc, 18 Oct. 2021
  • Holt tripled to deep right when Tucker couldn’t make a backhand catch on the warning track while running toward the wall and hitting face-first.
    — Chron, 16 Sep. 2021
  • Unbothered, Gauff broke right back to lead 4-3, smacking a backhand winner that brought Mom and Dad out of their seats in the player guest box.
    — Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2022
  • Down by 30-40, Djokovic hit a strong, deep serve that kicked off the service line and forced Federer into a backhand error.
    — Ben Rothenberg, New York Times, 28 June 2021
  • Tsitsipas made one last stand, saving match point with a backhand winner to the corner.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 13 June 2021
  • Berrettini had two break points on Djokovic’s serve in the next game but couldn’t cash in, and Djokovic held with an untouchable backhand winner for a 4-3 lead.
    — Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2021
  • Bader made a backhand diving catch in left-center to rob Castellanos of an extra-base hit leading off the eighth.
    — David Solomon, Star Tribune, 13 Sep. 2020
  • Djokovic seized the third set tiebreak after Nadal hit a backhand drop shot and Djokovic raced forward to push the ball into Nadal’s forehand corner where the Spaniard hit a high return wide.
    — Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 11 June 2021
  • But after squandering three breakpoints for 3-0, she got broken in the next game on a backhand error.
    — Danielle Rossingh, CNN, 13 Aug. 2020
  • But Raducanu got back up quickly and finished the match with ace to the backhand corner, falling on her back as the U.S. Open champion.
    — Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 11 Sep. 2021
  • When a backhand return from Vondrousova sailed long on Bencic's second match point, Bencic fell to the court on her back before the ball even landed.
    — Star Tribune, 31 July 2021
  • Junior shortstop Sydney Doloszycki snagged a sinking liner on her backhand side to open the fourth.
    — Michael Osipoff, chicagotribune.com, 14 June 2021
  • Ultimately, Zverev finished the match with a third break of serve, crushing a backhand winner down the line on match point and covering his face with his hands in disbelief.
    — Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 30 July 2021
  • After holding for 5-3 with a backhand winner down the line, Osaka closed the set with one more break, prevailing in a five-deuce miniseries with the help of two world-class forehands, one a return and one off the ground.
    — Wayne Coffey, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2020
  • Second baseman Dylan Moore dropped a backhand attempt on a Canha chopper that was ruled an infield hit.
    — Matt Kawahara, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 July 2021
  • And with the bases full of Orioles in the bottom of the seventh, Moncada saved the game, making a gorgeous backhand stab of a Jorge Mateo smash, touching third and throwing across the diamond for a double play.
    — Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 25 Aug. 2022
  • Greiss made eight saves in the first period, including stopping Barclay Goodrow's wrist shot from just outside the crease and denying Chris Kreider on a backhand attempt.
    — Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, 18 Feb. 2022
  • Opponents have seemingly won a point after pinning him deep on his backhand side, then end up watching a laser dive into the corner.
    — New York Times, 4 June 2021
Advertisement

backhand

3 of 4 adverb
  • When one last backhand by Nadal found the net, Tiafoe put his hands on his head.
    — Howard Fendrich, Hartford Courant, 5 Sep. 2022
  • Knight’s no-look backhand through the crease set up Harmon for a tap-in at the right post to open the scoring 12:29 in.
    — John Wawrow, courant.com, 5 Feb. 2022
  • The next break chance ended with a backhand passing shot into the net.
    — Chris Lehourites, chicagotribune.com, 29 June 2021
  • When Djokovic hit a backhand wide two points later, the Russian was up two-sets-to-love.
    — Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2021
  • Farmer hit a slicing line drive to left that Christian Yelich tried to backhand.
    — John Fay, The Enquirer, 8 Aug. 2020
  • Kane made it 3-1 with a mini-break and backhand shot past Colorado goalie Philipp Grubauer.
    — Ross McKeon, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 May 2021
  • But Nadal closed it out by pulling Opelka out of the court and the American's backhand landed wide.
    — Beth Harris, ajc, 17 Mar. 2022
  • Djokovic faced a set point in the 10th game, but won a 26-shot rally when Tsitsipas hit backhand long.
    — Bloomberg.com, 13 June 2021
  • In the tiebreak, Alcaraz earned an early mini-break and then ripped a two-handed backhand up the line for a 3-1 lead.
    — Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 7 May 2022
  • Samsonova broke the Swiss star in the opening game of the final set and held on to serve it out when Bencic’s backhand sailed long.
    — Karel Janicek, ajc, 6 Nov. 2021
  • But a down-the-line backhand veered a tad wide, Djokovic rolled his eyes and, eventually, he was somehow pushed to five sets.
    — Star Tribune, 9 Oct. 2020
  • The Avalanche star skated in on net during a power play and went backhand to get the puck past Vejmelka.
    — José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 16 Jan. 2022
  • Sinner had a match point and was serving at 5-4 in the fourth set but missed a backhand, double-faulted and missed a volley.
    — Helene Elliott, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2022
  • Jose Ramírez led off the inning beating by a half-step a ground ball to third baseman Justin Turner’s backhand.
    — Steve Hensonassistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2022
  • Murphy took advantage of a turnover at the blue line and went backhand to forehand for a shot that trickled by Keisala.
    — BostonGlobe.com, 30 Aug. 2021
  • To be broken twice in the first set, once by yanking a forehand wide on game point, and again with an errant crosscourt backhand.
    — Wayne Coffey, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2020
  • On the fifth break point of the game, Djokovic sent his return deep to Tsitsipas’s backhand, and Tsitsipas sent it back to the middle of the doubles alley.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 13 June 2021
  • When Berrettini sent a backhand long two points later, Djokovic let out his first long roar of the afternoon.
    — New York Times, 11 July 2021
  • After Azarenka's backhand found the net on a second match point, Osaka let out a deep breath and looked skywards.
    — Ravi Ubha, CNN, 12 Sep. 2020
  • Barty is a righty who relies on heavy topspin for a forehand packed with power, and her slice backhand can produce tricky bounces on the grass.
    — BostonGlobe.com, 8 July 2021
  • But Fritz battled back, benefitting from Rublev’s faulty backhand and ending the game with an ace.
    — Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2022
  • Collins used her backhand to great effect, compiling 11 of her 23 winners that way.
    — Howard Fendrich, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2022
  • Azarenka drilling another crackling backhand down the line to complete a set that was a work of art for one player and a debacle for the other.
    — Wayne Coffey, USA TODAY, 12 Sep. 2020
  • Sinner broke McDonald’s serve again to end the match, winning it when McDonald’s backhand went into the net on the final point.
    — Noah Trister, baltimoresun.com, 9 Aug. 2021
  • That the forehand and backhand strokes were the same gave them a leg up over an average person playing for the first time, but learning the intricacies took more time.
    — Wilson Moore, The Indianapolis Star, 15 July 2022
  • The left-handed Nadal repeatedly pounded the Italian’s backhand and took him out of his comfort zone.
    — Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 28 Jan. 2022
  • The first was a sailed breaking ball that Severino stood up to try and catch and had go off his glove, and the second was a bouncer that Severino tried to backhand in front of him instead of block.
    — Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, 25 May 2021
  • As Pliskova’s backhand hit the net, Barty clutched her head in disbelief having achieved her childhood dream.
    — New York Times, 10 July 2021
  • Up 5-4 and desperate for a break to end the match, Murray crushed a cross-court backhand to get to match point, then finished off the comeback with a topspin lob that Nishioka could not put on the court.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2020
  • In January 2022, Olympia's Instagram account shared a video of the little one practicing her backhand on the court.
    — Jessica Booth, Peoplemag, 10 Aug. 2022
Advertisement

backhand

4 of 4 verb
  • Saad got a pass in the slot while standing alone and scored on a backhand shot from in front.
    — Warren Mayes, Star Tribune, 22 Apr. 2021
  • Acciari corralled the puck in front of the crease and backhanded it in at 12:32.
    — Paul Gereffi, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Oct. 2019
  • Vesey scored by jumping on a Brady Skjei rebound and diving to backhand the puck in.
    — Lisa Burke-Wallace, New York Times, 6 May 2017
  • Correa speared it on a backhand dive and threw Olson out.
    — Matt Kawahara, San Francisco Chronicle, 25 Sep. 2021
  • Benn took the pass on his forecheck, backhanded the puck to himself and roofed it over an outstretched Dell for a 3-0 Stars lead.
    — Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2017
  • Pontus Aberg was free to backhand home the puck from behind the goal line just 45 seconds into the game.
    — Curtis Zupke, latimes.com, 25 Mar. 2018
  • Hill stopped the shot, but Faksa backhanded the rebound over the prone goalie.
    — star-telegram, 18 Oct. 2017
  • Sammy Walker took a backhand pass from Scott Reedy and blasted a shot past Beydoun and off the post and in to tie the score 1-1.
    — Randy Johnson, Star Tribune, 5 Feb. 2021
  • Kozak fumbles the puck but is able to backhand it back to Cagnoni who manages to get it through a diving Vikman.
    — Dylan Bumbarger, oregonlive, 25 Nov. 2021
  • Mats Zuccarello swept a long-range backhand wrister toward the net and Jared Spurgeon made the tip from the top of the crease.
    — Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Oct. 2022
  • At 5–5 in the tiebreak, Jabeur hit a loose rally backhand into the net to go down championship point.
    — Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2022
  • Jarvis and Jaydon Dureau on the rush execute a give-and-go, resulting in Jarvis in front of the net to backhand it in.
    — Dylan Bumbarger, oregonlive, 24 Apr. 2021
  • Vasquez can be seen backhanding the woman in the face three times, hitting her in the head, and pulling her down stairs by her hair.
    — Crimesider Staff, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2018
  • Smith dodged from behind the cage wrapping a backhand shot in mid-air past Gladstone.
    — Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 14 May 2022
  • Cue several videos of Eva hitting the ball forehand and backhand like a pro while a coach cheers her on.
    — Korin Miller, Women's Health, 7 July 2023
  • Rakell, on his 24th birthday, backhanded a loose puck through a scrum of players.
    — Curtis Zupke, latimes.com, 5 May 2017
  • One said Woods backhanded him in the chest during halftime.
    — Jake Lourim, The Courier-Journal, 8 Oct. 2017
  • Gilliss taps it to Mannek who spins nicely by Ronning and backhands it into the net.
    — Dylan Bumbarger, OregonLive.com, 21 Jan. 2018
  • Vladislav Namestnikov moved the puck into Columbus’ zone along the boards, pulled up and slipped a backhand pass to Rasmussen, who fired a shot from the top of the left circle.
    — Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, 16 Nov. 2021
  • In the original, Zazu decides to go for help — but Scar backhands him, knocking him out for the time being.
    — Raisa Bruner, Time, 17 July 2019
  • Elvis Andrus backhanded the ball and threw out Moncada at the plate.
    — Steve Rosenbloom, chicagotribune.com, 3 July 2018
  • Gostisbehere scored from long range when Jakob Chychrun couldn't gather in a puck and managed to send a backhand pass to his teammate for the shot.
    — José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 26 Feb. 2022
  • Mike Hardman helped set it up by winning a battle for the puck along the boards and prying it loose for Alex Newhook to backhand it to Boldy, who broke toward the net and knocked it in.
    — BostonGlobe.com, 28 Mar. 2021
  • Hannoun's center is blocked into the slot, where Noah Gregor backhands one off Farkas.
    — Dylan Bumbarger, OregonLive.com, 24 Feb. 2018
  • Shortstop Javier Báez backhanded a grounder beyond the infield dirt in the shallowest part of left field.
    — Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 13 Apr. 2023
  • But Rojas made a sliding stop and backhanded the ball to Dee Gordon for an inning-ending force out.
    — Andre C. Fernandez, miamiherald, 27 July 2017
  • Votto fielded it and tried to backhand the ball to Barnhart at the plate, but missed, allowing not only the run to score, but Avila to advance to third.
    — C. Trent Rosecrans, Cincinnati.com, 29 Sep. 2017
  • With runners at first and second, Candelario backhanded Kevin Pillar's grounder and stepped on the bag.
    — USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2017
  • Kuraly corralled a rebound in the slot and backhanded the puck to Chris Wagner, whose pass in front of the crease was finished off by Nordstrom.
    — San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Oct. 2019
  • Myers led off the ninth inning by striking a sharp grounder into the hole left of shortstop, but Ahmed backhanded the ball and beat Myers by a step at first.
    — Kevin Acee, sandiegouniontribune.com, 22 Apr. 2018

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'backhand.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Last Updated: