sideswiped
Hit while passing
Sideswiped means struck along the side, typically by a vehicle passing too close: A truck sideswiped my car in the next lane.
The word implies a glancing blow rather than a direct collision.
Figuratively, to be sideswiped is to be caught off guard by something unexpected and unsettling: I was completely sideswiped by the news of her resignation.
Surprised by unforeseen impact
- ambushedAttacked from concealment
- caught off guardSurprised when unprepared
- stunnedShocked into speechlessness
- shockedDeeply startled or appalled
surprised · jolted · thrown · rattled · broadsided · sucker-punched · unexpected · unforeseen
Minor vehicle collision
- crashSudden violent impact
- impactForceful contact or consequence
- scrapeRub harshly against
- grazeFeed on growing plants
clip · brush · bump · dent · scratch · contact · glancing blow · nick
Shallow surface depression
- scratchSuperficial wound or mark
- scrapeRub harshly against
- crumpleCompress into irregular folds
- repairRestore to working order
bodywork · insurance · estimate · fender · bumper · paintwork · panel · mechanic
Switching driving paths
- blind spotArea of blocked perception
- passingMoving by or temporary
- mergeCombine into unity
- highwayMajor road for travel
traffic · mirror · overtaking · motorway · vehicle · driver · maneuver · inattention
blindsided
Surprised by unforeseen impact
- ambushedAttacked from concealment
- caught off guardSurprised when unprepared
- stunnedShocked into speechlessness
shocked · surprised · jolted · thrown · rattled · broadsided · sucker-punched · unexpected · unforeseen · abrupt
fender-bender
Minor vehicle collision
graze · clip · brush · bump · dent · scratch · contact · glancing blow · nick · shunt
dent
Shallow surface depression
repair · bodywork · insurance · estimate · fender · bumper · paintwork · panel · mechanic · garage
lane change
Switching driving paths
- blind spotArea of blocked perception
- passingMoving by or temporary
- mergeCombine into unity
highway · traffic · mirror · overtaking · motorway · vehicle · driver · maneuver · inattention · swerve
sideswipedhead-on collision
Direct front-to-front impact
head-on crash · frontal impact · direct hit · rear-ended · T-boned
sideswipedtotaled
Destroyed or summed
demolished · obliterated · plowed into · smashed · rammed