as in amazed
affected with sudden and great wonder or surprise
I was bowled over when the appraiser told me what the painting was worth
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in surprised
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bowled over
Jesse Newell, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
She was bowled over when a person came in holding 10 boxes of diapers and a bunch of wipes to drop off.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
Twice, he’s been bowled over by pass rushers, finding himself off balance while falling backward at first contact.
—Jesse Newell, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
She was bowled over when a person came in holding 10 boxes of diapers and a bunch of wipes to drop off.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowled over
Adjective
-
Each year in recent memory, Scheider sounds amazed when organizers manage to slip more vendors into the popular event.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Principal Eric Olsen was amazed by his first jamboree back in 2008.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The battle was turbo-charged when Powell surprised markets with a 50 basis point inflation hike in September last year, seen by some as a gift to Trump’s Democratic Party election rival Kamala Harris.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The council’s resolution surprised me.—
Beth Lew-Williams,
New Yorker,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The argument escalated into a physical brawl, with Lomax and Grossman wrestling on the ground in front of stunned festival staff and musicians.—
Jordan Runtagh,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Sure, shooting someone in the chest eventually does the job, but is it rewarded as well as a headshot, bear trap to the torso, or kicking someone’s face off when they’re stunned on the floor?—
Matt Gardner,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The brutal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on a college campus shocked the nation and is forcing it to confront what appears to be an increase in political violence across the country.—
Carlie Procell,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
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The Charlie Kirk shooting shocked the nation and has been the main story over the past view days, as political tensions rise.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Every new scrap of information about Ash and LaMotte is greeted with an astonished rapture.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Attendees in East London were likely astonished to see their monarch at the festival, much like how Austinites would be starstruck by a glimpse of Matthew McConaughey.—
Mars Salazar,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Verb
-
Seagulls lift off the beach, startled by the sudden salty cacophony.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
While some dogs are more confident, others may become easily startled by noises, objects, or movements that appear harmless to humans.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bowled over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowled%20over. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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