sideswipe

[sahyd-swahyp]

verb (used with object)

sideswiped, sideswiping 

1. to scrape or hit with a sweeping stroke along the side.

   That car must’ve sideswiped mine when it backed out of the parking space.

noun

1. a sweeping stroke or scrape along the side.

   We can fix that sideswipe and repaint the car door for a reasonable price.

   By checking your mirror before changing lanes, you can avoid sideswipes.

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

Other Word Forms

• sideswiper noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sideswipe¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1900–05; side ¹ + swipe

Example Sentences

In December last year, the Philippines said China's coast guard fired water cannons and "sideswiped" a government vessel during a maritime patrol near the Scarborough Shoal.

From BBC

Tailed by deputies, the suspect sideswiped a semi-truck but continued driving.

From Los Angeles Times

The Philippines says the China Coast Guard has fired water cannon and "sideswiped" a government vessel in the South China Sea.

From BBC

That's because some of the non-colliding positively charged protons are set swirling as the nuclei sideswipe one another at close to the speed of light.

From Science Daily

Early Tuesday, Bryan Howard, 41, crossed the center line of State Road 40 in his 2001 Ford Ranger and sideswiped a bus carrying 53 farmworkers, which then veered the bus of the two-lane road.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• bang 
• break up 
• bump 
• crash 
• hit 
• shatter 
• smash 
• strike