Modifies a noun

• compliment: They're cribbed from reviews - most of them are backhanded compliments, sort of, one of the ongoing things.

• way: I'm not saying that the Parliamentarians didn't do a bit of good in a backhanded way.

Modifying Another Word

• somewhat: It has been suggested, however, that this somewhat backhanded compliment was intended rather to rub salt into Hooke's wounds.

• rather: Our fourth opportunity, albeit a rather backhanded one, is to throw away all this collaborative baggage.