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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bowl over
Gauguin initially wanted to go to Tonkin—at the 1889 World’s Fair, he had been bowled over by an exhibit of Khmer art—but his application for a colonial job there was rejected.
—
Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
Pour water to a depth of 1 1/2 to 2 inches in a small saucepan, and place a small stainless steel bowl over saucepan to make a double boiler, making sure water does not touch bottom of bowl.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 24 June 2025
After the Pacers also took Game 2, the Knicks turned the tables in Game 3 with a similar late fourth-quarter rally from a double-digit deficit that bowled over Indiana 106-100.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 26 May 2025
Step 3 Place a second medium heatproof bowl over the pot and turn the heat to medium-low.
—Janice Feuer Haugen, Saveur, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
Pour water to a depth of 1 1/2 to 2 inches in a small saucepan, and place a small stainless steel bowl over saucepan to make a double boiler, making sure water does not touch bottom of bowl.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 24 June 2025
After the Pacers also took Game 2, the Knicks turned the tables in Game 3 with a similar late fourth-quarter rally from a double-digit deficit that bowled over Indiana 106-100.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 26 May 2025
Step 3 Place a second medium heatproof bowl over the pot and turn the heat to medium-low.
—Janice Feuer Haugen, Saveur, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowl over
Verb
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The potential intruder surprises her in the water.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
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In New York City, Charlie Sheen embarks on a book tour for his new memoir, The Book of Sheen, while Doja Cat surprises fans at her pop-up in Union Square.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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What amazes me is how the same film sparks such different conversations, depending on the room.—
Eitan Weiss,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
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The 90-yard dash along the right sideline one play after Ruvalcaba’s interception amazed his teammates.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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More than anything, when the show finally ends, its finale will stun most viewers into silence.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
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In 1936, an underdog American rowing team stunned the world by winning the Olympic Gold.—
Jerry Cahn,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Broadbelt’s death shocked the community and reignited a countywide conversation about the dual problem of unleashed dogs and overcrowded animal shelters.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
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Kristen Delano, a spokesperson for Koloma, told the Idaho Statesman in an interview that the discovery shocked scientists, many of whom thought hydrogen molecules were too small to collect underground.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Then the Buckel brothers arrived, intent on doing the same, and Smith was startled.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
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Another Epstein accuser looked up, startled, to see where the deafening sound was coming from.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Over the past 48 hours, Nepal has been rocked by deadly mass protests led by young people who are frustrated over the country's leadership.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
10 Sep. 2025
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The pilots of Delta Flight 56, an Airbus A330, were flying from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam when violent turbulence rocked the plane near Creston, Wyoming.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The success of the event astonished everybody.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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Both Padres baseball leaders were astonished by what the 2010 team had achieved through more than three-quarters of the season.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bowl over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowl%20over. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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