as in surprising
causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness
the last-minute blindsiding allegations that almost derailed the candidate's campaign
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blindsiding
Adjective
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Most of his wines are more surprising or lesser known varietals, so a really fun place to just go and explore.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
30 May 2026 -
For the 2026 list, a few states also had some surprising changes.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
Verb
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This imbalance is perhaps not expressly disconcerting much of the time.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
-
There was also some disconcerting history to consider.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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As the past timeline catches up to the wedding chaos in the present on the six-episode HBO/BBC drama, Ruben (Gadd) makes a startling admission to Niall (Jamie Bell) during a prison visit.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 May 2026
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There's a startling new plastic surgery trend.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Verb
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From blowing a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter of Game 1 to Knicks fans overtaking one of the league’s best home-court advantages Monday night and serenading their favorite players while New York built a 29-point lead in the first half, the entire spectacle was jarring to watch.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
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These silences can be jarring, snapping you out of yourself and back into the present.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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But, following a string of disappointing national-team performances, including failing to qualify for the 1958 World Cup and shocking losses to both the Soviet Union and North Korea at the 1966 edition, the league reinstated the ban.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
30 May 2026
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Somebody Somewhere — a naturalistic, moving three-season performance that culminated in a shocking Emmy win for best supporting actor last year.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
30 May 2026
Verb
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But even more than engaging the big ideas that Emma’s revelation triggers — pun somewhat intended — Lee and Borli wanted to craft an experience that would mimic its main characters’ bewildering interiority.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
6 Apr. 2026
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There aren’t many ways to earn a club’s first win better than bewildering the league’s defending champions at their place.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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There’s Chateau de Fère and Les Crayères, which is very imposing and old-fashioned; a couple of very nice funky little boutique hotels (including one owned by the Selosse family who make amazing, and amazingly priced, grower Champagne) and lots of good chambres d'hôtes.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
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And then, back comes Katie with another amazing script.—
Stephen Root,
IndieWire,
3 June 2026
Verb
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This description recalls what leadership expert Jason Wild previously told Fortune about how AI tools are probabilistic, befuddling managers everywhere.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
8 Apr. 2026
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Shares are erasing some of those two-day losses on Monday, but our overarching point about the befuddling post-earnings market reaction holds true.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Blindsiding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blindsiding. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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