as in amazed
affected with sudden and great wonder or surprise
I was bowled over when the appraiser told me what the painting was worth
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in surprised
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bowled over
Jesse Newell, New York Times, 20 Aug. 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
Verb
Twice, he’s been bowled over by pass rushers, finding himself off balance while falling backward at first contact.
—Jesse Newell, New York Times, 20 Aug. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowled over
Adjective
-
Principal Eric Olsen was amazed by his first jamboree back in 2008.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
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In a TikTok video, the owners posted charming footage showing the tiny feline's surprising genius, leaving viewers delighted and amazed at her climbing skills.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Lead prosecutor Georgia Cappleman told reporters after the trial ended Thursday night that she was surprised by the decision but understood it.—
Lauren del Valle,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
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But in an Economist profile on the Arizona expansion, TSMC CFO Wendell Huang said he was surprised by America’s onerous and lengthy permitting process compared to that of Taiwan.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Micah Parsons is officially a member of the Green Bay Packers, and members of the Dallas Cowboys are just as stunned as the rest of the NFL world.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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This time, a packed house at Arena Riga was the one left in a stunned silence.—
Bobby Krivitsky,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The audience was shocked – which is just what Gaga envisioned.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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Two months ago, Justin Bieber shocked the world with his excellent Swag, his first album in four years.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Every new scrap of information about Ash and LaMotte is greeted with an astonished rapture.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Aug. 2025
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Attendees in East London were likely astonished to see their monarch at the festival, much like how Austinites would be starstruck by a glimpse of Matthew McConaughey.—
Mars Salazar,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Verb
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Then the Buckel brothers arrived, intent on doing the same, and Smith was startled.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
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Another Epstein accuser looked up, startled, to see where the deafening sound was coming from.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bowled over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowled%20over. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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