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
Relevance
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
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 bowled over
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
The Giants won with a fourth-round rookie running back, Cam Skattebo, who bowled over a historically dominant Eagles front for a career-high 98 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
The Giants won with a fourth-round rookie running back, Cam Skattebo, who bowled over a historically dominant Eagles front for a career-high 98 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowled over
Adjective
-
This visual sleight of hand worked so well that sometimes even Gomez was amazed.—
Alex Morris,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Liu, so amazed, emerges from the building with her phone out.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Lancaster County Councilman Brian Carnes, who represents the high-growth Indian Land area, isn’t surprised by the latest ranking.—
John Marks,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Open communication is essential for optimal cancer treatment Ayoade and Boffa were surprised how few patients had disclosed plans to use alternative therapy to their treatment teams.—
Stacy Kish,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Part of the big event began at the end of last week’s episode, when a stunned NCIS director Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll) tells Parker that NCIS is being shut down.—
Jim Halterman,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The mother of four stunned, wearing a long-sleeved, figure-hugging metallic dress to walk the red carpet at the Oscars after-party.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Both view the Lebanese government as still completely incapable of disarming Hezbollah, though both were shocked at the new assertiveness of Beirut as seen by Tuesday’s banishment of Iran’s ambassador.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Kunno’s eviction left his alliance in the house shocked, and no one more than Oriana Marzoli, who’s been at the center of a lot of the drama all season long.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Live, the 11-year-old actor shared his astonished reaction to getting the note.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The missiles startled an Israeli public that has endured comparatively few casualties in recent weeks thanks to the country’s formidable air defenses, frequently tested across many years by rockets from militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
23 Mar. 2026
-
When startled, silver carp can leap several feet out of the water and injure boaters.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
21 Mar. 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 31 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
