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
  • Context that undermines sensational allegations is minimized.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • Thomson’s most interesting point is that many movies are too busy being sensational to serve as a window to the world.
    Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
Interjection
  • In addition to, well, practically everyone in my life, reviewers rave about the bottoms’ comfortable fit, breathable feel, and chic look.
    Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 8 July 2026
  • Fresh off news of yet another round of layoffs, the folks in Redmond are reportedly looking at all that Anthropic and OpenAI integration in Excel and Outlook and thinking, well, why not use the homegrown stuff that’s free?
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 8 July 2026
Adjective
  • Birding is growing in popularity across Georgia, where backyards, parks and green spaces offer opportunities to spot everything from soaring raptors to colorful song birds.
    Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 9 July 2026
  • What to do nearby Marrakech—one of the most dynamic, colorful, historic, lively, and hedonistic cities in Morocco—is five minutes away, and within walking distance.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026
Interjection
  • But, hey, this hot-singles-on-a-secluded-island experiment is the true fidelity test!
    Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 9 July 2026
  • But hey, at least the CMOs got to snap a selfie with David during the shoot, right?
    Shann Biglione, Forbes.com, 7 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
  • So, in other words, a trade that makes money if USO goes up, down or no where at all.
    Michael Khouw, CNBC, 13 July 2026
  • Whereas like Gary's like, no, everything is fine, the house is fine.
    Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 10 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 15 Jul. 2026.

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