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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bowl over
Spread vegetables onto the hot sheet: Once the oven has preheated, carefully spread vegetables evenly over hot baking sheet, using a rubber spatula and scraping remaining olive oil and seasonings from bowl over vegetables.
—
Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2024
But there was one famous A-lister who wasn't necessarily bowled over by her charms: Oscar winner Morgan Freeman.
—Jeremy Helligar, People.com, 20 Oct. 2024
In the end, Grassi was bowled over by Patinkin's dedication to the story and his performance.
—Madeleine Janz, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025
The lone bright spots were when Pacioretty bowled over Mavrik Bourque eight minutes in and when Tavares won a key puck battle that led to the empty-netter.
—Kevin Papetti, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2024
But there was one famous A-lister who wasn't necessarily bowled over by her charms: Oscar winner Morgan Freeman.
—Jeremy Helligar, People.com, 20 Oct. 2024
In the end, Grassi was bowled over by Patinkin's dedication to the story and his performance.
—Madeleine Janz, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025
The lone bright spots were when Pacioretty bowled over Mavrik Bourque eight minutes in and when Tavares won a key puck battle that led to the empty-netter.
—Kevin Papetti, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowl over
Verb
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Again, no one should be surprised by Wednesday’s announcement.—
Bill McKibben,
The New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2025
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The announcement did not surprise the market given Trump had previously alluded to the move, during discussion of his upcoming 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium, Piotr Ortonowski, head of copper market analysis at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, told CNBC.—
Jenni Reid,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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What amazed me was that Zeah was already on home detention for a rack of serious criminal charges.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Feb. 2025
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The Chiefs didn’t amaze us on an every-game basis, not really, anyway.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In the months since the militant opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham stunned the world by bringing down the dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad in early December 2024, Syria has faced many pressing concerns.—
PATRICK VINCK,
Foreign Affairs,
4 Mar. 2025
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The clip ends with a shot of a couple on the ride appearing stunned by the experience.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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When Dutchman opened at the Cherry Lane Theater in 1964, its acerbic take on the relationship between white and Black Americans shocked audiences.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
8 Mar. 2025
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Washington’s pivot toward Moscow has not only shocked European allies but left open an opportunity for Beijing to push back against longstanding criticism of its close ties with Moscow, which have only expanded since Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Lilian, startled, looked around at the door, and that made the sisters laugh: Lilian, too, was tricked, just like the hedgehog.—
Yiyun Li,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
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Homelessness and trauma can cause people to startle reflexively when touched, Greig says, part of the reason the site’s staff offers hugs to clients and encourages them to call family.—
Ian Willms,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Local economies of counties with thousands of federal workers now subject to Musk’s axe could be rocked.—
Pat Beall,
Orlando Sentinel,
2 Mar. 2025
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Not only is the brand beloved by shoppers, but it’s been spotted on tons of celebs, too; Jennifer Lawrence wore a pair just a few weeks ago, Mindy Kaling rocked a chunky version last month, and Jennifer Aniston styled the sneakers last spring.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
People.com,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Newsweek has rounded up six of the James Webb Space Telescope's remarkable discoveries that have astonished scientists.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
6 Mar. 2025
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Dolton resident Lydia Miller said she was astonished after hearing Lightfoot’s findings.—
Mike Nolan,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bowl over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowl%20over. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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