sideswipe

[ sahyd-swahyp ]
See synonyms for: sideswipesideswipedsideswiping on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),side·swiped, side·swip·ing.
  1. to strike with a sweeping stroke or blow along the side; strike a glancing blow obliquely.

noun
  1. such a strike or blow.

Origin of sideswipe

1
An Americanism dating back to 1900–05; side1 + swipe

Other words from sideswipe

  • sideswiper, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sideswipe in a sentence

  • The piece of proj had caught him a nasty side-swipe, though without hurting anything but his looks in the least.

    Sea-Hounds | Lewis R. Freeman
  • Again the Stazy staggered under the side swipe of a big wave.

    Ruth Fielding Down East | Alice B. Emerson
  • This last was a sort of side swipe at the man who had been on the other side of the argument.

  • A side swipe, and the ball was hurtled directly into Lauras hands.

  • The nimble foe avoided the blow, though struck a grinding, crushing side-swipe.

    The Victim | Thomas Dixon

British Dictionary definitions for sideswipe

sideswipe

/ (ˈsaɪdˌswaɪp) /


noun
  1. a glancing blow or hit along or from the side

  2. an unexpected criticism of someone or something while discussing another subject

verb
  1. to strike (someone) with such a blow

Derived forms of sideswipe

  • sideswiper, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012