sideways
adverb or adjective
side·ways
ˈsīd-ˌwāz 
1
: from one side
2
: with one side forward
turn sideways
3
a
: in a lateral direction or downward to one side
hopped sideways
slump sideways
b
: askance
look sideways at someone
Synonyms
Examples of sideways in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Drop arms to rest. Verses 2 and 3 and chorus: Lift arms sideways to shoulder height slowly and return them to your sides slowly, eight times.
—
Angela Haupt, TIME, 24 Apr. 2024
Several current and former prisoners said that at times the facility has been so tightly packed that women were housed four to a cell in quarters so cramped some had to turn sideways to fit between the bunks.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
The operating principle is this: When waves of that length are generated in the active layer, the holes in the neighboring photonic-crystal layer act like tiny mirrors, bending the light both backward and sideways.
—Susumu Noda, IEEE Spectrum, 14 Apr. 2024
Second-row seats slide forward, back and sideways, opening up lots of space when needed.
—James Raia, The Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2024
The caution comes after inflation — which came down steadily throughout 2023 — has moved sideways in recent months.
—Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2024
When their initiation goes sideways, Laurent tries to get out
of it – and the entire group ridicules him.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024
Though their plan goes sideways, Lao She and Judge Dee form a bond that carries them into the murder investigation of Ma Ze Ren, a Chinese national and shop owner who served with the Chinese Labour Corps in France during WWI.
—Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
For the neck, this means having your head in perfect alignment without bending forward, back, sideways or rotated, as this puts the least amount of stress on the supporting structures of the cervical spine.
—Jacqueline Laurean Yates, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2024
Angela Haupt, TIME, 24 Apr. 2024
Several current and former prisoners said that at times the facility has been so tightly packed that women were housed four to a cell in quarters so cramped some had to turn sideways to fit between the bunks.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
The operating principle is this: When waves of that length are generated in the active layer, the holes in the neighboring photonic-crystal layer act like tiny mirrors, bending the light both backward and sideways.
—Susumu Noda, IEEE Spectrum, 14 Apr. 2024
Second-row seats slide forward, back and sideways, opening up lots of space when needed.
—James Raia, The Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2024
The caution comes after inflation — which came down steadily throughout 2023 — has moved sideways in recent months.
—Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2024
When their initiation goes sideways, Laurent tries to get out
of it – and the entire group ridicules him.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024
Though their plan goes sideways, Lao She and Judge Dee form a bond that carries them into the murder investigation of Ma Ze Ren, a Chinese national and shop owner who served with the Chinese Labour Corps in France during WWI.
—Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
For the neck, this means having your head in perfect alignment without bending forward, back, sideways or rotated, as this puts the least amount of stress on the supporting structures of the cervical spine.
—Jacqueline Laurean Yates, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sideways.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sideways
Cite this Entry
“Sideways.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sideways. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sideways
adverb or adjective
side·ways
ˈsīd-ˌwāz
1
: from one side
viewed the stage sideways
2
: with one side forward
turn sideways
3
: to one side
fell sideways
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