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
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Recent Examples of bowled over
Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Before you get bowled over by a new enthusiasm, do some checking.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
Gerwig was bowled over by how Pascal took a chance on her.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2026
Everman’s balanced attack too much for Wyatt Everman got 15 points from Carsyn Smith and 12 more from Makhiya Dangerfield as the Bulldogs bowled over Fort Worth Wyatt 69-14 in a Class 5A Division II bi-district tilt on Monday.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 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
We were completely bowled over, just in total disbelief.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
This Nix lowered his shoulder on one carry and bowled over Jets cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
Hicks was bowled over by Spence early in the third period, was very slow to get up but stayed in the game and held the Pioneers in the game despite Michigan’s taking over in terms of possession, shots and chances.
—Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Before you get bowled over by a new enthusiasm, do some checking.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
Gerwig was bowled over by how Pascal took a chance on her.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2026
Everman’s balanced attack too much for Wyatt Everman got 15 points from Carsyn Smith and 12 more from Makhiya Dangerfield as the Bulldogs bowled over Fort Worth Wyatt 69-14 in a Class 5A Division II bi-district tilt on Monday.
—Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 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
We were completely bowled over, just in total disbelief.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
This Nix lowered his shoulder on one carry and bowled over Jets cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowled over
Adjective
-
From 'oo's' and 'ah's' to big smiles, fans are both amazed and delighted by his presence.—
Kaley Fedko,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
-
Padres season-ticket holders in the 300 level at Petco Park for four years, both were amazed by their baseball weekend.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Nathan Lane, celebrated for Tony-winning comedic roles in ‘The Producers’ and other musicals, tackles Willy Loman in a casting choice that surprised some when the revival was announced.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
But Scott said he had been surprised by their resilience, with the majority in his tight community of around 90 blockchain and crypto entrepreneurs opting to stay despite the conflict.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
Some looked stunned, others threw up their hands or clapped.—
Camila Gomez,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
-
But within seconds of being knocked back, the responding officers were back up, checking on each other and evacuating stunned residents — including several children — from the rubble of the home, the video shows.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In 1997, the businessman shocked diplomats at a black-tie gala by announcing the donation of a staggering $1 billion to the United Nations to benefit programs aiding refugees and children.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
Scott Gordon, chief of water enforcement for EPA’s regional office at the time, toured the site in 2000 and said he was shocked by how the industrial water found its path into the river, sometimes through gullies cut by the flow.—
DYLAN JACKSON,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
And so did a few astonished gasps when a drone shot revealed just how far outside of the Mojave tent her crowd of headbanging bodies stretched.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
17 Apr. 2026
-
One that draws more approving thumbs-ups, creates more astonished grins, or pulls more phones from pockets for impromptu photographs and video—especially in stunning Verde Ermes metallic paint.—
Michael Harley,
Forbes.com,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The gunfire startled sleeping guests at the Citizen Hotel, which included a wedding party and fans of the rapper Tyler the Creator, who performed at a concert hours earlier.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Littrell walked up to the man, who appeared to be startled by the singer's presence.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The baseball-loving family members were thunderstruck at spotting the T206 Honus Wagner in the frame.—
Marin Independent Journal,
Mercury News,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bowled over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowled%20over. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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