bowl over

verb

Definition of bowl overnext
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

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 The lawsuit was filed in Jackson County Circuit Court on Thursday on behalf of Abby Grizzell, of Lee’s Summit, who attorneys said was bowled over and trampled by a group of youths on June 6. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2026 So far, the league appears to be taking a slower path, rather than trying to bowl over players at the outset. — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 25 June 2026 This is yet another example of how an excellent piece of literature could be bowled over by controversy. — Spin Team, SPIN, 22 June 2026 Place the bowl over the simmering water, ensuring the bottom does not touch the water, and whisk constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture reaches 160 degrees. — Kate Bradshaw, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowl over
  1. surprise
  2. amaze
  3. stun
  4. shock
  5. startle
  6. astonish
Verb
  • The result surprised the team because semiconductor materials are generally highly sensitive to impurities.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
  • If Dern gets on top of Robertson, though, the fight could be over, and a submission for Dern wouldn’t surprise me.
    — Brett Appley, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of surprise
Verb
  • His greatness is never in question, but to have the league at a standstill because of a 41-year-old free agent amazes me.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • Just before halftime, van Persie slipped past the Spanish defensive line to receive a long-range pass from teammate Daley Blind and looped the ball over Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas with a first-time diving header that amazed the audience.
    — Tushaar Kuthiala, Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 July 2026
Definition of amaze
Verb
  • Narwhals have been observed using them to stun small Arctic cod while hunting.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Many in Hollywood and beyond were left stunned by news of the passing of multifaceted performer Hayden Panettiere at age 36, as reported Sunday night.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of stun
Verb
  • Kenan Thompson, her co-star on All That, was shocked by the news and shared a photo of the late actress online in a touching tribute.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Prune only about a third at a time to avoid shocking the plant; stagger cuts over time.
    — Mallory Carra, The Spruce, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of shock
Verb
  • Preconceptions, assumptions, and advance knowledge in the viewing public are regarded as impediments to the capacity of the tale to surprise, startle, or transport.
    — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Sometimes workers would be startled by the sight of a machine moving by itself and realize it was being controlled by someone in Turkey.
    — Jesse Coburn, ProPublica, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of startle
Verb
  • Taken during Yeltsin’s trip to America months before the fall of the Soviet Union in 1989, the photos show the former Russian president astonished by the variety of frozen foods at Randall’s supermarket in Houston.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • To hold something close, to attend to it, to be astonished by it.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of astonish

Browse Nearby Words

bowling over
bowl over
bowls
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Cite this Entry

“Bowl over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowl%20over. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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