Synonyms for

Sideways

Verb / ˈsaɪˌdweɪz / Another word for sideways — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

moving or positioned to one side; not straight ahead

Synonyms & similar words

obliquely sidelong sideway crabwise sidewise sidewise askew slanting slanted tilted oblique diagonal angled canted inclined off-center off-course off-target skew slue aslope awry crooked leaning

Synonyms by register

Formal

laterally obliquely transversely

Informal

askew crooked tilted off-kilter

Literary

a-slant askance

Antonyms

straight forward direct upright level even

Common collocations

  • look sideways
  • turn sideways
  • move sideways
  • go sideways
  • fall sideways
  • lean sideways
  • glance sideways

Word family

adjective sideways
adverb sideways

Usage note

Sideways is primarily used as an adverb describing direction or position. As an adjective, it often describes something that is oriented in a sideways direction.

Example sentences

  1. The car slid sideways on the wet road.
  2. He turned his head sideways to get a better view.
  3. She walked sideways to avoid bumping into people.
  4. The tree fell sideways and narrowly missed the house.
  5. The picture is hanging sideways and needs to be straightened.

Quotes

  • I'm always looking sideways, looking back, looking forward.
  • I like to think of myself as a sideways-on woman, an observer rather than a participant.
  • The world is full of people who are determined to be somebody or to give trouble. They want to get ahead, to stand out. Such ambition has no use for a writer. The writer must be gaunt and anonymous in order to observe the world around us and to surprise it.

Try these popular words

the and that for you with was this are have not from

Practice

Play the Word Synonyms game · Choose level (start near 1)

Worksheets

Grade 4 · Grade 5 · Grade 6

Topics

Guides

Explore more words