blindsided

American  

[blahynd-sahy-did] / ˈblaɪndˌsaɪ dɪd /

adjective

1. Sports. tackled, hit, or attacked by an opponent on the blind side, out of the player’s field of vision.

   The blindsided offensive lineman was taken down by the defensive tackle coming around the other way.

2. attacked critically or taken by surprise where one is vulnerable, uninformed or unprepared, etc..

   Told by a cryptic university official that his keynote address was being canceled “for political reasons,” the blindsided philanthropist was left searching for answers.

3. (of such an attack, tackle, etc.) delivered from the blind side, unexpectedly, or in a way that exposes or takes advantage of a vulnerability.

   A staff meeting is no place for a blindsided assault on an administrator.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of blindside.

Etymology

Origin of blindsided

First recorded in 1985–90; blindside + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; blindside + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

blindsided

Much of the soccer world, however, was completely blindsided by Infantino’s announcement, including FIFA’s ruling council and the confederations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

As she’s being driven to her office, she’s blindsided by the news that her medical records have been leaked, revealing she is in ill health and sending company shares tumbling.

From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026

It is understood Pereira was informed of the decision late on Tuesday evening in a move which blindsided the former Wolves boss.

From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026

Her lawyers argued the Supreme Court needed to hear the case so Murrin and millions of people like her wouldn’t be blindsided by the IRS years after tax preparers took advantage of them.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 25, 2026

“I never thought I’d see the day you’d be blindsided by something on the Current.”

From "The Reader" by Traci Chee