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

Staff at Molineux have been stunned by the decision which also blindsided Rob Edwards and his coaching team.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

Many new homeowners have it tough amid elevated interest rates and steep listing prices — and many are being blindsided by a “newcomer tax” that’s becoming more widespread.

From MarketWatch • May 1, 2026

Higgins, who lost Season 4 of “The Traitors” in the finale after being blindsided by her friend and co-star Rob Rausch, rose to prominence on “Love Island” in 2019.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

The city’s real-estate leaders were blindsided by a proposed new tax that could hurt their business.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

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

From "The Reader" by Traci Chee