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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bowl over
Cannes was bowled over by Trier’s Sentimental Value, giving it an astounding 15-minute loud, raucous and heartfelt standing ovation.
—
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
Drizzle any remaining oil left in the bowl over the chicken.
—Cathy Thomas, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2025
Andersen was bowled over in his crease by Timo Meier and had to exit the game, being replaced by Pyotr Kochetkov.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
Place bowl over a pot of simmering water (do not let bottom of bowl touch water).
—Ana Calderone, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025
Drizzle any remaining oil left in the bowl over the chicken.
—Cathy Thomas, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2025
Andersen was bowled over in his crease by Timo Meier and had to exit the game, being replaced by Pyotr Kochetkov.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
Place bowl over a pot of simmering water (do not let bottom of bowl touch water).
—Ana Calderone, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowl over
Verb
-
Bruce Brigham, the business's president, said Howie Glass had been a Midwest Glass customer for about 30 years and they were surprised by the closure news.—
JC Reindl,
Freep.com,
23 July 2025
-
Couples who've been surprised by a string of baby boys or baby girls could be forgiven for wondering whether the odds in the offspring lottery are more than just pure chance.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
Its steadfast dedication to its classic roots, combined with a fearless spirit of innovation, results in pieces that never fail to amaze.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
14 July 2025
-
Red tint amazes skywatchers Smartphones not enough to capture moon's beauty What would a lunar eclipse look like if the earth was flat?—
Jenny Porter Tilley,
Louisville Courier Journal,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The Princess of Wales also stunned in a gold cape dress for the No Time to Die James Bond premiere in 2021 and for a 2023 State Visit by the South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
-
Friends told me of arriving at a familiar spot for the first time after the cease-fire and being stunned by the sight of buildings ripped open by a blast.—
Gershom Gorenberg,
The Atlantic,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Under the masterful conditioning care of Brendan Walsh, this powerful striding colt came within a neck of shocking the world at odds of 15-1 in the second leg of the Triple Crown series.—
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
-
Don’t be shocked to see Navy try him at QB in that triple option in Annapolis.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Many dogs and other pets were startled by the noise and ran away, shelter officials said, and good Samaritans found them and brought them to shelters.—
Marcus D. Smith
July 7,
Sacbee.com,
7 July 2025
-
On June 2, the heart of Sicily—Mount Etna—experienced a volcanic eruption that startled tourists, summoned emergency alerts, and shot lava and ash high into the sky.—
Erica Firpo,
AFAR Media,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Kenosha rocked by civil unrest The city of Kenosha was rocked by civil unrest in 2020 after a police officer shot Jacob Blake, a Black man, seven times.—
Jessie Opoien,
jsonline.com,
25 July 2025
-
Last year, Marvel Studios' Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con rocked the pop culture convention and broke the internet.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
Joel Bernstein, Denver, N.C. I was astonished to read the June 30 letter (Proud of Trump) from Rob Berg, who compared Trump’s bombing of Iran with Barack Obama participating in an attack on Libya.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 July 2025
-
That is why Nix's mind is what has Engram astonished.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bowl over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowl%20over. Accessed 28 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share