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
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Recent Examples of gee-whiz
Encyclopedia Britannica,
17 Apr. 2026
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
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
Encyclopedia Britannica,
17 Apr. 2026
Wow, gee whiz, golly wolly!
—
Eric Todisco,
Peoplemag,
24 Mar. 2023
Adjective
While it has historically been linked to the promotion of science and gee-whiz stories that seek to fascinate people, through time its roles have diversified to showcase that one strength of science journalism as a profession is a critical stance on scientific and technology issues.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
17 Apr. 2026
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
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
Wow, gee whiz, golly wolly!
—
Eric Todisco,
Peoplemag,
24 Mar. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gee-whiz
Adjective
-
The small island nation made its World Cup debut this year with a sensational game against Spain, one of the countries considered a favorite to win the tournament.
-
In the evenings we were treated to sensational auroral displays.
Interjection
-
With the trucks, at least, the administration has been able to take its preferred version of the American story on the road, where history is more, well, movable.
-
For whatever reason, sneakers that can handle 20,000 steps tend to be, well, ugly.
Adjective
-
Bringing new teenage characters into the Factory, with Kit Connor already announced as lead voice cast, the film appears to be a fast-paced, thrilling and colorful adventure for young audiences, and got enthusiastic feedback from Annecy’s crowds.
-
Lasichanh sported colorful sneakers for her footwear, carried a small Louis Vuitton bag and wore delicate jewelry pieces to complete her casually bent attire.
Interjection
-
But, again, compared to a halfway decent gym or, hey, one of Equinox’s $40,000 a year memberships, even pricey adjustable dumbbells can feel like an absolute bargain.
-
But hey, the factory workers do finally get their pizza party during the credits!
Interjection
-
Oh gee, is that supposed to be me in the video with the goatee?
-
As the spigot closed, inflation spiked (gee, maybe there’s a connection?) and the economy slowed, the state budget went from a whopping surplus to stubborn deficits.
Interjection
-
Her skirt is couture from Nike, aptly, named by its co-founders Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman for the Greek goddess of victory lo these many decades ago, after Bowerman figured out the whole waffle-sole thing by destroying his wife’s waffle iron in his kitchen.
-
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.
Interjection
-
Oh no, Armand’s got his spindly roots in the band!
-
Zay, David Veleta and David Ziegner supported the increase, while commissioner Bob Deig voted no.
Interjection
-
Why, oh why, do the Rangers keep throwing away almost certain victories in the final minutes of playoff games?
Cite this Entry
“Gee-whiz.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gee-whiz. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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