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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Lunar rocks and soil offered novel insights into the moon’s origin and composition, and more recent analysis of previously untouched Apollo samples, as well as samples retrieved by robotic missions, revealed the surprising discovery of water trapped in rocks thought to be bone-dry.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026 -
The daytime-only pool menu offers its own cocktail list (the spicy marg was a surprising standout), and a super-casual food menu with options like fish tacos, a wagyu burger, and chicken tenders.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As the Alabama Crimson Tide prepare for the rival Auburn Tigers ahead of Saturday’s Iron Bowl, the team received a bit of disconcerting news.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Nov. 2025
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The code, though, is currently often replete with disconcerting troubles.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In especially sunny or windy places, just how much state power comes from renewable sources can be startling.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
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Three bears at Northstar California Resort in Truckee ran beneath a ski lift and across a slope, startling skiers and riders making their way down the run.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But while Vonn’s jarring injury set an ominous tone, these Olympics have overwhelmingly become one of triumph for the American women.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2026
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From high-tops inspired by boxing footwear to jarring-yet-complementary color combinations, the Bulgarian designer’s link-ups with the Japanese sportswear company have produced some of the more captivating collaborations in athletic footwear.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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While Dunk emerged victorious in the trial, the battle was not without bloodshed and deaths, including a shocking one no one saw coming.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
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Saturday’s loss was neither KU’s biggest home loss, nor the most shocking, of the Self era.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Even a principled, well-meaning actor like Claude could face bewildering ethical conflicts.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
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And aren’t our real-life romantic complications bewildering enough?—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Great Britain had to win to stay alive for the medal round, and won on an amazing throw by skip Rebecca Morrison, who banked her stone off a wide blocking stone and spun it right.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
18 Feb. 2026
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So many comedians would have been amazing hosting that show.—
Alex Morris,
Rolling Stone,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Many applicants have received identical messages lately, befuddling students as well as lab heads who may be used to hearing about rejections but not a string of applications simply returned without review.—
Jonathan Wosen,
STAT,
11 Feb. 2026
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He was less intimidated by its befuddling organization and had grown accustomed to the antiquated spellings and the nearly illegible, unpunctuated scribblings of harried seventeenth-century officials.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Blindsiding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blindsiding. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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