Definition of gee-whiznext
as in sensational
arousing a strong and usually superficial interest or emotional reaction most of the movie's budget must have gone for its gee-whiz special effects

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gee whiz

2 of 2

interjection

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 gee-whiz
Adjective
Even a half-hour after the Giants snapped out of their funk with a satisfying victory, and Susac had a moment to reflect on the wildly successful start to his big league career, there wasn’t a hint of gee-whiz wonder in his postgame comments. Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026 While the terrace is the most obvious gee-whiz feature, the 100-footer has multiple standout elements, starting with the salon. Kevin Koenig, Robb Report, 21 Nov. 2025 The Institute never achieves either emotional potency or any sense of gee-whiz spectacle. Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025 Perseverance's aurora observations, which were described in a study published Wednesday (May 14) in the journal Science Advances, have more than just gee-whiz appeal. Mike Wall, Space.com, 15 May 2025 Are the gee-whiz tech innovations still relevant like the electric light bulb or the elevator were? Matt Shaw, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025 California once was the state where a visionary might start up a gee-whiz concept in a garage. Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025 Missoula, Montana, where he was born, bequeathed him a folksy Eagle Scout congeniality, all nasal delivery and gee-whiz enthusiasm. Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2025 While invisibility cloaks are a gee-whiz application, metamaterials now offer real-world commercial applications such as new antenna technologies for mobile phones. IEEE Spectrum, 7 Dec. 2018
Interjection
This does not exclude that some science journalism will rightly be of the gee whiz variety or will prioritize entertainment value or will see its primary usefulness as linked to science literacy. Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gee-whiz
Adjective
  • The globetrotting film casts a sensational John David Washington as a superspy in an organization that uses time inversion for its missions.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 July 2026
  • Spain, featuring sensational teen Lamine Yamal, won it all in 2010 and is in the final for only the second time.
    Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
Interjection
  • Ippolito looks a little more like a yassified Wolff brother than Stallone, but his voice is appropriately thick and heavy and, well, Rocky-sounding.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 15 July 2026
  • View gallery - 7 images A robot that swims like a diving bird and then flies like, well, a bird, sounds like the setup for two different machines bolted together.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 July 2026
Adjective
  • That colorful flipbook of adlibs in her back pocket makes the experience even better.
    Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026
  • Admire colorful blooms at the Lotus and Water Lily Festival, enjoy art at the Smithsonian Castle after-hours, or watch the World Cup final.
    Fritz Hahn, Washington Post, 16 July 2026
Interjection
  • But hey, YouTube and a cruddy degradation stream can rock too.
    Liza Lentini, SPIN, 17 July 2026
  • This stunning wine is only available in a three pack, but hey, why not, there’s still a few months left to enjoy it this summer.
    Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 17 July 2026
Adjective
  • There was more screaming and yelling for people who wanted to get a ventilator available in their home.
    Chris Lee, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2021
Interjection
  • Oh gee, is that supposed to be me in the video with the goatee?
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • And gee if there were only a very effective way of preventing the measles.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Interjection
  • Though the missing books have been on the DA’s radar since the last century, no one’s had a lead on the thief lo these many decades.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Remember lo those many weeks ago when the ground wasn't covered in snow?
    Amber Hunt, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Interjection
  • Protect our wallets and keep our community affordable by voting ‘no’ on the Park District bond referendum this November.
    Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
  • Cushy slides, breezy sundresses, easy two-piece sets, and outfit-making tops are all on sale for $10 or less — and no, that’s not a typo.
    Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gee-whiz.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gee-whiz. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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