blindside

1 of 2

verb

blind·​side ˈblīn(d)-ˌsīd How to pronounce blindside (audio)
blindsided; blindsiding; blindsides
Synonyms of blindside

transitive verb

1
: to hit, strike, or tackle (someone who is facing in another direction) suddenly and very hard : to attack (someone) from their blind side
blindsided the quarterback
2
: to surprise (someone) unpleasantly see usage paragraph at blind entry 1

blind side

2 of 2

noun

1
: the side away from which one is looking
2
: the side on which one that is blind in one eye cannot see

Examples of blindside in a Sentence

Verb The quarterback was blindsided just as he was about to throw a pass. We were all blindsided by the news of her sudden death. Noun He was hit on his blind side.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
For many professionals, the biggest fear isn't simply losing their job—it's being blindsided by the news. — Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026 Some dealers were blindsided by the ban, while others anticipated it but saw their advice ignored. — Joel Feder, The Drive, 1 July 2026
Noun
But asking him to start multiple games this early on Stafford’s blind side could be a risk. — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 15 June 2026 The 6-foot-5, 313-pound Smith has the polished, boring-in-the-best-way profile teams crave on the blind side. — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for blindside

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of blindside was in the 14th century

Rhymes for blindside

See All Rhymes for blindside

Browse Nearby Words

blind shell
blindside
blind side
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blindside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blindside. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

blind side

noun
: the side on which one who is blind in one eye cannot see

More from Merriam-Webster on blindside

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for blindside

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