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.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sideswipe
That’s when the 35-year-old was sideswiped by a driver, according to news outlet ClickOrlando.
—
Owen Clarke, Outside, 21 Nov. 2025
Jamaica was still recovering from Hurricane Beryl, which sideswiped the island in July 2024 as a Category 4 storm.
—Farah Nibbs, The Conversation, 12 Nov. 2025
During a chase that began in Colerain Township and lasted 1½ minutes, prosecutors say James’ car sideswiped a vehicle and then drove through a red light at Kemper and Pippin roads at about 90 mph, striking a Ford Fusion driven by Mills.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Nov. 2025
While Zane was driving on I-95 south, another driver sideswiped his car at a high rate of speed without applying the brakes, according to the family, citing an eyewitness.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sideswipe
Owen Clarke, Outside, 21 Nov. 2025
Jamaica was still recovering from Hurricane Beryl, which sideswiped the island in July 2024 as a Category 4 storm.
—Farah Nibbs, The Conversation, 12 Nov. 2025
During a chase that began in Colerain Township and lasted 1½ minutes, prosecutors say James’ car sideswiped a vehicle and then drove through a red light at Kemper and Pippin roads at about 90 mph, striking a Ford Fusion driven by Mills.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Nov. 2025
While Zane was driving on I-95 south, another driver sideswiped his car at a high rate of speed without applying the brakes, according to the family, citing an eyewitness.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sideswipe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sideswipe
Verb
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The mobile margarita bar in an an old VW van was an Instagram hit - and served a pretty perfect cocktail.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
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The Big 12 player of the year hit the game-winner from the right side — while also falling to his right with the Cyclones’ Killyan Toure closely guarding.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Even a small push or bump during repairs can send a spacecraft tumbling, making operations risky and difficult to control.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
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And yet the Democrat is bumping along near the bottom, a blip in polls and a laggard in the money chase.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Gently swipe the swab across the sensor, using single, smooth strokes in one direction.—
Jacob Little,
Space.com,
12 Mar. 2026
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Other reviews say the smell is powdery and clean, which is tolerable for swiping it on daily.—
Essence Wiley,
InStyle,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Martin later attempted to interfere with the disciplinary investigation by directly contacting judges and demanding the investigator be suspended and the case dismissed.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
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Staff at Augustine declined to comment on the incident when contacted Tuesday, citing the ongoing SJPD investigation.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The most serious mid-air collision involving the plane happened in 1966, when a B-52 bomber carrying nuclear bombs struck a tanker near Palomares, Spain.—
Kim Tong-Hyung,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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The attack occurred after projectiles struck four other vessels in Gulf waters, according to port, maritime security and risk firms.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Those kilometers-deep layers were still present when the Arabian plate, driven by the opening of the Red Sea on its southwestern side, began scooting toward the northeast and ramming into Eurasia around 30 million years ago.—
Stephanie Pappas,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 2026
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Burbank police arrested a 32-year-old man for a midday crime spree that included allegedly ramming vehicles and assaulting officers on Monday.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sideswipe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sideswipe. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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