noun

sideswipe

Sideswipe (noun) means a glancing blow delivered from the side, such as one car clipping another while changing lanes. Example: “The truck took a sideswipe from a car merging too quickly.”

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noun

A glancing blow delivered from the side, such as one car clipping another while changing lanes.

"The truck took a sideswipe from a car merging too quickly."

A sharp, indirect critical remark.

"His speech included a sideswipe at his political rivals."

verb

To strike something with a glancing blow from the side.

"The van sideswiped a parked car on the narrow street."

How to use sideswipe

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA glancing hit from the side, literal or in the form of a cutting remark.

Common pairings

sideswipe a car a sideswipe at critics

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

sideswiped past tense, sideswipes plural, sideswipes singular

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Fill the gap

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The truck took a _____ from a car merging too quickly.

Etymology

A compound of "side" and "swipe".

Rhymes for sideswipe

pipe wipe ripe gripe stipe snipe swipe tripe recipe stripe Felipe bagpipe

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Frequently asked questions

What does “sideswipe” mean?

The word “sideswipe” means a glancing blow delivered from the side, such as one car clipping another while changing lanes. In plain terms, a glancing hit from the side, literal or in the form of a cutting remark.

How do you use “sideswipe” in a sentence?

Here is “sideswipe” used in a sentence: “The truck took a sideswipe from a car merging too quickly.”

What part of speech is “sideswipe”?

Depending on how it is used, “sideswipe” can be a noun and a verb.

How many meanings does “sideswipe” have?

“Sideswipe” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a glancing blow delivered from the side, such as one car clipping another while changing lanes.