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
Many of the selections struggled to bowl over critics.
—
Jake Coyle,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
Whisk together sugar, egg whites, water, corn syrup, and salt in a medium heatproof bowl; place bowl over boiling water in saucepan, ensuring bottom of bowl does not touch water.
—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
28 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Jake Coyle,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
Whisk together sugar, egg whites, water, corn syrup, and salt in a medium heatproof bowl; place bowl over boiling water in saucepan, ensuring bottom of bowl does not touch water.
—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
28 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowl over
Verb
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Through the fantastical nature of this story and the original nature of the omniscient narrator Ahmad is able to continually surprise.
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There was also a nice moment with his dad, who surprised him after flying to New York on a red-eye Sunday morning.
Verb
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For the majority of viewers who held out for the subscription streaming release rather than paying to rent or purchase, this news is amaze, amaze, amaze.
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On the final day of Pride Month, here’s one final bonkers gay story to delight and amaze you.
Verb
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The unusual attack Monday night stunned the elite principality on the Mediterranean Coast.
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The South American side stunned four-time world champions Germany 4-3 on penalties after the teams were tied 1-1 following extra time on Monday, pulling off one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
Verb
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Cape Verde came onto the international stage with a thrilling show — shocking the world with its 0-0 draw against Spain, where Vozinha was catapulted into sports stardom for stonewalling the Spanish, and on to its 2-2 stalemate with Uruguay.
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This was a practice in which doctors used extreme measures such as draining large amounts of blood (bloodletting) or inducing vomiting in an attempt to shock the patient’s body back to health.
Verb
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The mobile phone alert startled many across the city-state of Dubai, the first such alert since the interim ceasefire.
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Lansley said she has been startled by how chatbots can appear to display emotional intelligence.
Verb
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Menna was transported to WellStar Kennestone Hospital, where doctors say her recovery has left them astonished.
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This place is going to astonish you.
Cite this Entry
“Bowl over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowl%20over. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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