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
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
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
Verb
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
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
-
As the foursome sang and danced, the camera repeatedly cut to the audience, where everyone was up out of their seats and dancing — including the EGOT winner, who also sang along while looking amazed by the group’s talent.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The archers were amazed at how strong the bow was for its size.—
Clare Conley,
Outdoor Life,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
From the Squishmallows x TONYMOLY K-beauty skincare cal to Olive & June’s nail cal, you’d be surprised by just how many launch every day.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Fever‘s popularity even surprised the band members, who weren’t quite convinced by its power.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But what happened next stunned everyone.—
Rick Tumlinson,
Space.com,
25 Sep. 2025
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No one was more stunned to learn that Reese Witherspoon's first name is not Reese than Jennifer Aniston.—
Jodi Guglielmi,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Helene shocked people from the plains and pine forests of Central and Eastern Georgia through scenic mountain vistas in North Carolina and Tennessee.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
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The president then shocked many with the content of his remarks that followed.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Fans in the comments expressed excitement about the forthcoming sequel to the witchy cult classic — which was based on the 1995 Alice Hoffman novel of the same name — while others seemed astonished that filming for the movie has already finished.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
13 Sep. 2025
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Meanwhile, The Pitt only has two wins so far, but Shawn Hatosy wins most astonished speech.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Sleep may be disturbed by a pet's movements, and dogs may bite if startled.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
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In this episode, after Kirsch points out that the eyeball/sheep-thing intentionally startled and trapped Isaac — and not for its own benefit, but to assist another alien — Kavalier decides to have a conversation with the beast, starting by asking it to recite the digits of pi.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bowled over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowled%20over. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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