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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Step through that doorway and visitors are greeted by Penryn Grill, a full-service restaurant that has become one of Placer County's most surprising dining destinations.—
Conor McGill,
CBS News,
6 June 2026 -
That outcome would amount to a surprising end to what had been a rocket-ship campaign for the 42-year-old gadfly.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2026
Verb
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This imbalance is perhaps not expressly disconcerting much of the time.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
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There was also some disconcerting history to consider.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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These sprinklers detect motion and will squirt bursts of water, startling squirrels and chasing them out of your garden.—
Molly Burford,
Southern Living,
6 June 2026
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One of the more startling nuggets the doc reveals concerns Paul Bateson, the former radiological technician convicted of Verrill’s murder.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2026
Verb
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Bishop Sharon Martin, vice president of the local NAACP, said the video of Moore’s assault was jarring.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
2 June 2026
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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
Adjective
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Where the movie’s true eccentricity comes in is in its combination of breezy comedy with shocking brutality and gore, perhaps most exemplified in an oddly casual moment in a morgue where Seagal and Wayans find a clue in the form of a serial number on a dead woman’s breast implant.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
5 June 2026
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Crayton said that the decision to allow Alabama to ignore the lower court’s ruling was shocking.—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
5 June 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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