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
Start by heating the chocolate and butter in a bowl over very low heat, stirring to combine.
—
Cody Godwin, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Place bowl over hot water in saucepan, making sure water does not touch bottom of bowl.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Lewis was bowled over by Lee’s research, which included the revelation that an early version of Goldman Sachs was a venture investor in Clarence Birdseye’s flash-freezing method; Birdseye studied as an ornithologist (as well as a taxidermist, fur trader, hunter, and fish lobbyist).
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Christian Barmore bowled over center Bradley Bozeman to box in Herbert.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Cody Godwin, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Place bowl over hot water in saucepan, making sure water does not touch bottom of bowl.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Lewis was bowled over by Lee’s research, which included the revelation that an early version of Goldman Sachs was a venture investor in Clarence Birdseye’s flash-freezing method; Birdseye studied as an ornithologist (as well as a taxidermist, fur trader, hunter, and fish lobbyist).
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Christian Barmore bowled over center Bradley Bozeman to box in Herbert.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowl over
Verb
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Given our below-average funding, none of us should be surprised by our below-average education outcomes.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Mar. 2026
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That Testa’s pin sparked the turnaround didn’t surprise senior heavyweight Joey Favia.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Melissa's rapid intensification and high winds and atypical hurricane behavior amazed even some of the more experienced scientists who study tropical cyclones, thanks in part to its journey over some exceptionally warm waters in the Caribbean.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
25 Feb. 2026
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But Manso consistently pulls rebounds away from taller players, scores inside and makes plays that amaze his teammates.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Simone was stunned by Morris' success.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Mar. 2026
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Ratajkowski stunned while attending the Loewe fashion show on March 6.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Even the assistants were shocked the red card was shown.—
Ali Rampling,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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Uretsky, who moved to Los Angeles from the East Coast about six years ago, said he was initially shocked by the region’s high cost of living.—
Iris Kwok,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the early hours of Sunday morning, as a bar in a busy nightlife district of Austin, Texas, prepared to close for the night, patrons and staff were startled by the sound of gunshots.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
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If hypotheticals about what could have been are a good dream for New York Knicks fans, then Mikal Bridges is the alarm clock that startles them awake.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Kokuho was her very first film, and the prospect of attending the Academy Awards astonished and baffled her.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Mar. 2026
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The others come from flat-out surprises that will floor and astonish you.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bowl over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowl%20over. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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