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
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
The Giants won with a fourth-round rookie running back, Cam Skattebo, who bowled over a historically dominant Eagles front for a career-high 98 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
With a notably vivacious aroma and flavor, Heilala bowled over tasters with layered complexity.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Oct. 2025
After receiving the opening kickoff, the Hawks marched up the field in just over two minutes, as senior running back Kyle Celestin bowled over a tackler on his way to the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown rush.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
He, too, was bowled over by the film's tear-jerking finale.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 23 Sep. 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
This Nix lowered his shoulder on one carry and bowled over Jets cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
The Giants won with a fourth-round rookie running back, Cam Skattebo, who bowled over a historically dominant Eagles front for a career-high 98 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
With a notably vivacious aroma and flavor, Heilala bowled over tasters with layered complexity.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Oct. 2025
After receiving the opening kickoff, the Hawks marched up the field in just over two minutes, as senior running back Kyle Celestin bowled over a tackler on his way to the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown rush.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
He, too, was bowled over by the film's tear-jerking finale.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 23 Sep. 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
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People are always so amazed at how my 2-year-old can come into the studio and put her own paints on her palette and get her brush and just start going.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
5 Nov. 2025
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And finally, the world was amazed.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That was the case even if the extent of their subsequent slump — four consecutive Premier League defeats, six losses out of seven in all competitions — surprised everybody.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
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Goodwin, surprised, thanked her effusively.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The camera pans to show Drake viewing the balance with a stunned look on his face.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
28 Oct. 2025
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When the former fed asked him how the script was proceeding, he was met with stunned silence.—
Steve Belanger,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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During a recent clean-out, I was shocked by the various levels of color saturation in my stack of black jeans.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
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But the podcast also shocked me.—
Eli Thompson,
Rolling Stone,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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After another four strikeouts on the mound, Ohtani hit his third home run of the night in the seventh inning, traveling 427 feet into the stands full of astonished Dodgers fans.—
Gabe Smallson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
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Under Kidman's Practical Magic 2 post, fans in the comments expressed excitement about the forthcoming sequel to the witchy cult classic — which was based on the 1995 Alice Hoffman novel of the same name — while others seemed astonished that filming for the movie has already finished.—
Nigel Smith,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The boy looked up mid-sob, startled.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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Across America, Halloween spending is expected to reach record levels this year, including large crowds waiting for their chance to be chased, startled and screamed at.—
Isabel Rosales,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bowled over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowled%20over. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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