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
When ready to serve, unwrap the top of the cake and place a cake plate over the top of the bowl Turn the bowl over to release the cake and gently pull back the plastic wrap and discard it.
—
Mary Ann Esposito, Boston Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
Place a heat-safe bowl over a pot filled with water to reach ½-inch below the bowl.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 2026
Before you get bowled over by a new enthusiasm, do some checking.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
Gerwig was bowled over by how Pascal took a chance on her.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Mary Ann Esposito, Boston Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
Place a heat-safe bowl over a pot filled with water to reach ½-inch below the bowl.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 2026
Before you get bowled over by a new enthusiasm, do some checking.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
Gerwig was bowled over by how Pascal took a chance on her.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowl over
Verb
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Demand for the prog-rockers surprised even Rush stalwarts Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
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Deoras said the discovery of those invariants was the finding that surprised him most.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
8 June 2026
Verb
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This technology still amazes me.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
8 June 2026
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What still amazes a man who has to be hard to impress is the Gunnison Tunnel.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Lithgow, to the contrary, was clearly stunned — and deeply honored.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
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The speed stunned Hamlin, who credited his team with some quick fixes that stabilized the wounded vehicle.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
Verb
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The Rockies scored five runs in the ninth on a three-run home run by Hunter Goodman and a walk-off, two-run homer by Ezequiel Tovar to shock the Giants in an electrifying 8-6 win at Coors Field.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
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Fans were shocked to learn a number of details about the actors behind Briar U’s charming student body, from who their real-life partners are to the fact that lead Ella Bright grew up in London and has a British accent.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
28 May 2026
Verb
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The scale of what is emerging in China’s northwestern desert has left even seasoned analysts startled.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
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The spray of water should startle any squirrels, deer, or other wildlife trying to sneak fruit from your tree.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
28 May 2026
Verb
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With a turn of a crank, Edison astonished the dozen or so staffers who had gathered around the contraption.—
Ron Cowen,
Scientific American,
3 June 2026
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Needless to say, the Pinnacles' beauty has continued to both befuddle and astonish visitors today.—
Rachel Chang,
Travel + Leisure,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bowl over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowl%20over. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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