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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bowl over
In a bowl over simmering water (aka double boiler), melt butter, chocolate chips, and unsweetened chocolate.
—
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2025
Instructions: Whisk or blend the egg, sweetener, coffee, and milk in a heatproof bowl over simmering water until thick and fluffy (about 10 minutes).
—Regina C. Windsor, Mph, Rdn, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2025
We were just bowled over, and the other members of the band were sort of with us all the way every few months.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
We've been bowled over by how audiences have responded to the film.
—Simon Thompson, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2025
Instructions: Whisk or blend the egg, sweetener, coffee, and milk in a heatproof bowl over simmering water until thick and fluffy (about 10 minutes).
—Regina C. Windsor, Mph, Rdn, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2025
We were just bowled over, and the other members of the band were sort of with us all the way every few months.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
We've been bowled over by how audiences have responded to the film.
—Simon Thompson, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowl over
Verb
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But none of them have surprised me with their brilliance.—
Baz Dreisinger,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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Today's teen slang might seem like complete gibberish, but you may be surprised by how many terms echo phrases from the past.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
3 June 2025
Verb
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In The 2025 Playoffs Cason Wallace didn’t amaze anyone with his playoff debut last season.—
Mat Issa,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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Among all, what truly amazed the 2022 U.S. Open champion was the 14-time PGA Tour winner, Scheffler's sheer dominance.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 May 2025
Verb
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When Anderson heard that his friend was assaulted, the musician was stunned.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
8 June 2025
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Seth Jones scored a goal and an assist, and Dmitry Kulikov and Brad Marchand scored 3:46 apart in the second period to stun the rabid crowd.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
Verb
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The near miss shocked the country, but polling showed sharp partisan divides even in the case of the near assassination of a presidential candidate.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
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Last season, Forest had a small core of players who almost shocked European football by qualifying for the Champions League.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
11 June 2025
Verb
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Part of what startled Fitzgerald’s generation about their studio experience was how near at hand the real bad guys could be.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
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The late morning blast rattled homes and startled the desert city just before 11 local time, The Desert Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
Verb
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When Kieran returns, now with a family of his own, the town is rocked by a murder that threatens to awaken long-dormant secrets.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
6 June 2025
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There was even a right royal visit, with King Charles III rocking up to chat with John Lennon’s son Julian and Yellowstone star Mo Brings Plenty, of all people.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Bet the entire Chase Bank on Scherzinger, who astonishes and has the most thrilling voice since Streisand.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
6 June 2025
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Other Instagram users were astonished at how Yasmina managed to reach that height on her own.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bowl over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowl%20over. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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