also back-handed
1.
A ~ compliment is a remark which seems to be an insult but could also be understood as a compliment. A ~ compliment is also a remark which seems to be a compliment but could also be understood as an insult.
Saying she’s improved comes over as a ~ compliment.
ADJ: ADJ n
2.
If you say that someone is doing something in a ~ way, they are doing it indirectly.
In a ~ way, I think a lot of my energy and strength comes from my campaigning.
ADJ: ADJ n disapproval