Definitions

blindsided

[blahynd-sahy-did] / ˈblaɪndˌsaɪ dɪd /

VERB

attack by surprise

Synonyms

WEAK

bushwhack catch unaware hit unexpectedly sucker-punch

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

The people I spoke to are blindsided that this no longer appears to be the case and it will be down to individual platforms.

From BBC • Jun. 15, 2026

With the price of insurance low and volatility following a predictable, profitable pattern, Nations sees a risk that investors will take on more risk than they realize and get blindsided.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 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

Furious at being blindsided by the appointment, Bush dodged Groves’s brusque queries about the state of the project and dashed off a prickly letter to Stimson’s assistant, Harvey Bundy.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik