sideways

adverb or adjective

side·​ways ˈsīd-ˌwāz How to pronounce sideways (audio)
1
: from one side
2
: with one side forward
turn sideways
3
a
: in a lateral direction or downward to one side
hopped sideways
slump sideways
b
: askance
look sideways at someone

Examples of sideways in a Sentence

I had to walk sideways to get between the two towering piles of boxes she glanced at us sideways when she heard us claim we weren't there that night
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The meeting went sideways and the priest ended up fleeing the scene before a resulting gunfight left him dead and Gomez wounded. Alex Ross, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025 Bunny is a hustler out on a job when things go sideways – and deadly. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2025 But then—an unexpected email, a colleague drops the ball, or a high-stakes presentation goes sideways. Luciana Paulise, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025 Media and tech stocks, which had been trading sideways today after suffering huge losses in recent sessions, immediately shot higher on the tariff reprieve Trump unveiled on Truth Social. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sideways

Word History

First Known Use

1572, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sideways was in 1572

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sideways.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sideways. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

sideways

adverb or adjective
side·​ways ˈsīd-ˌwāz How to pronounce sideways (audio)
1
: from one side
viewed the stage sideways
2
: with one side forward
turn sideways
3
: to one side
fell sideways

More from Merriam-Webster on sideways

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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