blindside

1 of 2

verb

blind·​side ˈblīn(d)-ˌsīd 

blindsided; blindsiding; blindsides

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

Verb

Israel launched the war in response to an October 2023 invasion by Hamas which blindsided Netanyahu’s religious-rightist government. — Dan Williams, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026

But after endearing us to this eager and innocent narrator, Saunders blindsides us. — Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026

Noun

With Lomu protecting his blind side, DeVito was also well-protected. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 2026

The Jets selected Fashanu, 23, with the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to protect then-quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ blind side. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for blindside

• abide
• allied
• applied
• aside
• astride
• azide
• backside
• bankside
• bastide
• bayside
• bedside
• belied

Medical Definition

blind side

noun

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