BOWLED OVER Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

bowled over 1 of 2

adjective

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

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bowled over

2 of 2

verb

past tense of bowl over

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

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of bowled over

Verb

As Democrats blew away their Republican rivals in an unprecedented midterm sweep Tuesday, the Make America Health Again movement also got bowled over, raising questions about the fate of the motley movement. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 5 Nov. 2026 One woman filed a lawsuit against the event’s organizers after she allegedly was bowled over during a crowd rush, sustaining multiple injuries. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026 Yet, as with Lebanon, Middle East watchers were bowled over to discover that the MOU codified Iran’s claim to a say in administering passage through the strait. — Ron Kampeas, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2026 This is yet another example of how an excellent piece of literature could be bowled over by controversy. — Spin Team, SPIN, 22 June 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowled over

Adjective

Researchers were amazed that Australia could stay bird-flu-free for six years.

— Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
Adamantium-tally our SEA officers were amazed to see this image roll across their X-ray screen.

— News Editor, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of amazed

Verb

The companies that understand their customers best in 2030 will be the ones most willing to be surprised by them.

— Kate O'Keeffe, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
But Soto, 48, appeared to prevail this week, a feat that likely surprised Republican leaders and some political analysts.

— Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of surprised

Adjective

That, to my mind, is why Wiles seemed so stunned by the firestorm that erupted when her words appeared in my 10,000-word Vanity Fair series last December.

— Chris Whipple, Vanity Fair, 10 Nov. 2026
The scene is one of many standout moments that left audiences and Fielder himself both stunned and uncomfortable.

— Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of stunned

Adjective

And Denée Benton, whose budding writer Peggy Scott acts as an entry point into New York’s prosperous Black elite, still sounds astonished.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026
Further stories illuminate emotional realities burrowed deep within enormously likeable characters, often moving the reader (or this reader anyway) to astonished tears.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026

Definition of astonished

Verb

Surveillance footage & evidence Police reviewed surveillance footage in the area, which showed the two gunshot victims walking, then appear startled, according to court records.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
However, startled by the activation of the security system, the suspect fled the scene without stealing any loot.

— Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of startled

Adjective

At a New Year’s Eve ball at the Chelsea School of Art in 1961, Saville, in his mid-30s and long married, was thunderstruck at the sight of the 23-year-old Pauline Boty, and the two commenced an affair.

— Sean Wilentz, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
Dolly was thunderstruck but hardly resigned to life as a has-been.

— Martha Ackmann, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026