bowl over

verb

Definition of bowl overnext
as in to surprise
to make a strong impression on (someone) with something unexpected she was bowled over to learn that she had a long-lost sister

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of bowl over So far, the league appears to be taking a slower path, rather than trying to bowl over players at the outset. — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 25 June 2026 This is yet another example of how an excellent piece of literature could be bowled over by controversy. — Spin Team, SPIN, 22 June 2026 Place the bowl over the simmering water, ensuring the bottom does not touch the water, and whisk constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture reaches 160 degrees. — Kate Bradshaw, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026 Many of the selections struggled to bowl over critics. — Jake Coyle, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowl over
  1. surprise
  2. amaze
  3. stun
  4. shock
  5. startle
  6. astonish
Verb
  • But to go seven years without making the playoffs would have surprised any skeptic back then — if such skeptics even existed.
    — Max Bultman, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • Guests are often surprised by dishes like the Razor Clams Casino and our Pistachio Pesto Pasta.
    — Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of surprise
Verb
  • His greatness is never in question, but to have the league at a standstill because of a 41-year-old free agent amazes me.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • Just before halftime, van Persie slipped past the Spanish defensive line to receive a long-range pass from teammate Daley Blind and looped the ball over Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas with a first-time diving header that amazed the audience.
    — Tushaar Kuthiala, Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 July 2026
Definition of amaze
Verb
  • It should be noted that Hong is a former star soccer player himself and captained the 2002 South Korean national team that stunned the world by finishing in fourth place at the World Cup.
    — Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • The announcement itself was unremarkable, but many were stunned to learn that the technology was fitted to 2014–2022 models, including cars with current 4G hardware.
    — Michael Harley, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026
Definition of stun
Verb
  • Severe droughts and searing heat across vast swathes of southern Europe destroyed large parts of the olive oil harvest, culminating in a dizzying price rally that shocked industry veterans and consumers alike.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 17 July 2026
  • Lam’s account shocked many people in the former British colony, which Beijing promised would maintain its Western-style civil liberties for 50 years after its return to China in 1997.
    — Kanis Leung, Fortune, 16 July 2026
Definition of shock
Verb
  • Stone Mountain, Georgia — Jean Shifrin was hiking up a steep mountain trail on the Fourth of July when she was startled by something approaching her from behind.
    — John Blake, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
  • Exactly two years ago tomorrow, an unexpected visitor startled a homeowner in Hillsborough, New Jersey.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 July 2026
Definition of startle
Verb
  • Having walked through factory floors, presented in boardrooms across five continents and coached leaders through every wave of disruption automation could throw at them, I am astonished at how fast AI adoption is currently escalating.
    — Dr. Adil Dalal, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Ice at a party doesn’t sound revolutionary today (think of how many tons of it that wedding at MSG must’ve used), but on this day in 1850, when waiters appeared carrying bottles of champagne on ice, guests—accustomed to warm wine—were astonished.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026
Definition of astonish

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bowling over
bowl over
bowls
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Cite this Entry

“Bowl over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowl%20over. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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