as in to hit
US
to cause the side of a vehicle to come into forceful contact with the side of another vehicle
The taxi sideswiped a parked car.
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sideswipe
Williams was found dead behind the wheel of his gray Chevrolet Equinox after sideswiping three vehicles before coming to a stop outside the Coney Island Houses, about a block from where the shooting was reported.
—
Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
The driver sideswiped one vehicle near Exit 33, then continued and caused a three-vehicle crash at milepost 32 beneath the Middleton Road overpass, the post states.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 7 Feb. 2026
Ramirez-Mesa barrelled through the intersection, sideswiping the 4Runner before crashing into the driver’s side of the Sonata, deputies say.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
That’s when the 35-year-old was sideswiped by a driver, according to news outlet ClickOrlando.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sideswipe
Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
The driver sideswiped one vehicle near Exit 33, then continued and caused a three-vehicle crash at milepost 32 beneath the Middleton Road overpass, the post states.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 7 Feb. 2026
Ramirez-Mesa barrelled through the intersection, sideswiping the 4Runner before crashing into the driver’s side of the Sonata, deputies say.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
That’s when the 35-year-old was sideswiped by a driver, according to news outlet ClickOrlando.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sideswipe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sideswipe
Verb
-
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is expected to hit theaters on May 1.—
Joyann Jeffrey,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
-
But Edwards hit a 3-pointer a few seconds later to push the lead to 135-128 and send the home fans streaming toward the exits.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific recently bumped fuel surcharges by roughly 34% across all routes, while Air India on Monday added up to $280 in fees to some flights.—
Rio Yamat,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Craft Sake Shoten is an intimate, unpretentious place to deepen your sake knowledge while bumping shoulders with incredibly friendly locals.—
Kim Kay,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Internet sports gambling is flourishing in Florida and the 31 other states that have legalized it, and few guardrails prevent problem users from swiping away hundreds or thousands of dollars.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Masataka Yoshida had an RBI groundout and Trevor Story stole home when Marcelo Mayer swiped second on a double steal in the fourth inning for the Red Sox runs.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Police asked that anyone with information contact their non-emergency number at 989-774-3081.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The veterinary team brought the puppy inside, examined it and contacted Animal Services.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The snake can easily strike through the bag.—
Dr. C. E. Kuschel,
Outdoor Life,
9 Apr. 2026
-
During that call, the defendant made no reference to having struck his wife in self-defense, deputy prosecutor Joel Garner said.—
Jennifer Sinco Kelleher,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The United Nations’ peacekeeping force in Lebanon said Israeli soldiers rammed UN vehicles with a tank twice on Sunday.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
12 Apr. 2026
-
In the first shooting, Homeland Security officials accused a man of weaponizing his car and ramming a law enforcement vehicle in an attempt to flee.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sideswipe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sideswipe. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
