side·swipe
ˈsīd-ˌswīp 
sideswiped; sideswiping; sideswipes
: to strike with a glancing blow along the side
sideswiped a parked car
1
a
: the action of sideswiping
b
: an instance of sideswiping : a glancing blow
2
: an incidental deprecatory remark, allusion, or reference
Examples of sideswipe in a Sentence
Verb
The taxi sideswiped a parked car.
Noun
She took a sideswipe at the senator's voting record.
Recent Examples on the Web
David Ferrara, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
In the first of the many extended action set-pieces that are director Edwards’ forte, La Mariposa is sideswiped by a mosasaurus and capsized.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 16 May 2025
According to Indiana State Police, the Penske truck's driver was not in the correct lane causing the driver of a coal truck to move onto the emergency shoulder to avoid a sideswipe crash.
—Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for sideswipe
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Verb
Just this March, a Northern Kentucky deputy was sideswiped by a truck on Interstate 71 during a traffic stop.
—David Ferrara, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
In the first of the many extended action set-pieces that are director Edwards’ forte, La Mariposa is sideswiped by a mosasaurus and capsized.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025
Noun
Look for a toddler ride-on toy made with heavy enough plastic to be long-lasting and to stand up to frequent bumps and sideswipes.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 16 May 2025
According to Indiana State Police, the Penske truck's driver was not in the correct lane causing the driver of a coal truck to move onto the emergency shoulder to avoid a sideswipe crash.
—Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for sideswipe
Cite this Entry
“Sideswipe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sideswipe. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sideswipe
1 of 2 verb
side·swipe
-ˌswīp
: to hit along the side with a blow that bounces off at an angle
sideswiped a parked car
sideswipe
2 of 2 noun1
: an instance of sideswiping : a blow from an angle that bounces off
2
: an indirectly related disapproving remark, allusion, or reference
a sideswipe at the senator's voting record
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