blindside

1 of 2

verb

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

transitive verb

1
: to hit unexpectedly from or as if from the blind side
blindside the quarterback
2
: to surprise unpleasantly

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
The club’s front office was blindsided by Mihailovic’s decision. Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 4 Aug. 2025 Acquisitions can take years to come to fruition, and without a clear plan, owners risk being undervalued, outpaced by competitors, or blindsided by market shifts. Pauleanna Reid, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Noun
Do the Packers shop him around cutdown day or keep him for reliable depth on Love’s blind side? Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025 Other revelations include the Dolphins confirmation that veteran lineman Austin Jackson and James Daniels will protect quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s blind side. Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Blindside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blindside. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.

Medical Definition

blind side

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

More from Merriam-Webster on blindside

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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