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
After receiving the opening kickoff, the Hawks marched up the field in just over two minutes, as senior running back Kyle Celestin bowled over a tackler on his way to the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown rush.
—
Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
He, too, was bowled over by the film's tear-jerking finale.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
But [The Pitt] is really a show that, once people caught on to it, they were bowled over by it and everything about it.
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Sep. 2025
She was bowled over when a person came in holding 10 boxes of diapers and a bunch of wipes to drop off.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
He, too, was bowled over by the film's tear-jerking finale.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
But [The Pitt] is really a show that, once people caught on to it, they were bowled over by it and everything about it.
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Sep. 2025
She was bowled over when a person came in holding 10 boxes of diapers and a bunch of wipes to drop off.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowl over
Verb
-
Boozman was not surprised by the lawsuit.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Oct. 2025
-
In a video recently posted on the Hobbiton Movie Set TikTok account, the happy couple is seen being surprised by the 44-year-old star, who was dressed casually in a windbreaker and a pair of jeans.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
What amazes her is how someone chose to save these items and hang on to them for future generations.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
-
This isn’t the first time a dog has amazed the internet with spinal walking.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But Miles stunned the country by entering the transfer portal and eventually landing at TCU, a few weeks after the Horned Frogs eliminated Notre Dame in the Sweet 16.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Joined by real-life magician Noah Levine, the star stunned fans with card tricks and a special surprise.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When Charlotte was ranked 50th out of 50, the study shocked local leaders and eventual led to the formation of the Opportunity Task Force.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The first comes in the show’s shocking cold open, in which a mother gives birth to a demonic baby that subsequently attacks an 11-year-old boy.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Across America, Halloween spending is expected to reach record levels this year, including large crowds waiting for their chance to be chased, startled and screamed at.—
Isabel Rosales,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
-
White disappears completely into the role without skirting parody, portraying the exhausted hitmaker as startled by his own numbness, blanked out and unsure of what to do next.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The brutal slaying rocked the town, where such crimes were basically unheard of.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
28 Oct. 2025
-
As for her hair, the 14-year-old rocked a middle part and loose curls, showcasing her bronze highlights, perfectly complementing the dress.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In her work, Warner has dispelled myths such as the one that indigenous people, astonished by modern technologies, believed that cameras stole their souls.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
He was astonished and renewed by that quiet.—
Stephen Trimble,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bowl over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowl%20over. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share