as in hitting
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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Recent Examples of sideswiping
But Parente says Martinez, who was shot five times after the crash, did not cause the wreck, arguing the agent was the person who actually initiated the contact by sideswiping his client, making the condition of his vehicle crucial to her defense.
—
Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sideswiping
Verb
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The developer of Aurora Driver, an all-in-one self-driving solution, underdelivered last year, hitting its stock hard.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
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The grant terminations are also hitting nonprofit groups in Illinois, with leaders of those groups saying the cuts could mean fewer services in Illinois for people struggling with homelessness, substance use disorders and fewer prevention and training programs related to mental health.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Its four conference wins against bottom-tier teams have come by 33, 20, 10 and 42 points, bumping them from 78 to 50 in Kenpom and to 44 in the NET.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
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Not surprisingly, Robby’s reaction to bumping into Langdon is mostly anger.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Anonymous tips can be offered by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
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Prosecutors accused Moore of contacting the staffer via phone calls and texts after the breakup, prompting the victim to contact the University of Michigan and cooperate in an investigation.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Surveillance video showed a gray Honda ramming into the store's front façade.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
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The video shows the agents repeatedly ramming the Bazans’ car during a slow chase through the city.—
Nicole Foy,
ProPublica,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sideswiping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sideswiping. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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