as in to surprise
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
Relevance
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 bowl over
Gauguin initially wanted to go to Tonkin—at the 1889 World’s Fair, he had been bowled over by an exhibit of Khmer art—but his application for a colonial job there was rejected.
—
Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
Pour water to a depth of 1 1/2 to 2 inches in a small saucepan, and place a small stainless steel bowl over saucepan to make a double boiler, making sure water does not touch bottom of bowl.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 24 June 2025
After the Pacers also took Game 2, the Knicks turned the tables in Game 3 with a similar late fourth-quarter rally from a double-digit deficit that bowled over Indiana 106-100.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 26 May 2025
Step 3 Place a second medium heatproof bowl over the pot and turn the heat to medium-low.
—Janice Feuer Haugen, Saveur, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
Pour water to a depth of 1 1/2 to 2 inches in a small saucepan, and place a small stainless steel bowl over saucepan to make a double boiler, making sure water does not touch bottom of bowl.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 24 June 2025
After the Pacers also took Game 2, the Knicks turned the tables in Game 3 with a similar late fourth-quarter rally from a double-digit deficit that bowled over Indiana 106-100.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 26 May 2025
Step 3 Place a second medium heatproof bowl over the pot and turn the heat to medium-low.
—Janice Feuer Haugen, Saveur, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowl over
Verb
-
Allow team members to collaborate, and then surprise you with the results.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
As is true every year there have been a few movies that have surprised people, but there’s a lot of enthusiasm for going to the theater.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Andrew Harnik | Getty Images Shares of Oracle surged 36% in yesterday’s session after the company’s cloud growth estimates amazed Wall Street.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
-
What amazes me is how the same film sparks such different conversations, depending on the room.—
Eitan Weiss,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Aces Silenced by the Late Storm Push In the second game of the evening, the Las Vegas Aces were stunned by the Storm’s fourth quarter offense and lost, 86-83.—
Allison Smith,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
While many were stunned that an object like that would have been painted over at all.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
These shocks land heavily on Hispanics, who are overrepresented in construction, service, and blue-collar work sensitive to inflation and policy disruptions.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The charges come five days after 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was taken into custody in connection with the grisly killing that shocked the nation and stoked fears of more political violence.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Seagulls lift off the beach, startled by the sudden salty cacophony.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
While some dogs are more confident, others may become easily startled by noises, objects, or movements that appear harmless to humans.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Frazier came out of his corner in the 14th all but blind, rocking on unsteady legs.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Speaking of politics, singer and forty-ish America’s Got Talent standout from good ol’ Indiana, Adam Lambert, far right below, has been rocking a full-on Byzantine Empire surcoat/suit outfit for some time now.—
Guy Martin,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
His work astonishes and moves people far beyond the fashion bubble to this day.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The Wall Street veteran was astonished by the Chouinards’ sincere desire to part with their fortune.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bowl over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowl%20over. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share