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
After receiving the opening kickoff, the Hawks marched up the field in just over two minutes, as senior running back Kyle Celestin bowled over a tackler on his way to the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown rush.
—
Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
He, too, was bowled over by the film's tear-jerking finale.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
She was bowled over when a person came in holding 10 boxes of diapers and a bunch of wipes to drop off.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 15 Aug. 2025
During my own visit to the Westminster eatery to check out the dish, I (a far less astute and seasoned gastronome than Yee) was equally bowled over.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
He, too, was bowled over by the film's tear-jerking finale.
—Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
She was bowled over when a person came in holding 10 boxes of diapers and a bunch of wipes to drop off.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 15 Aug. 2025
During my own visit to the Westminster eatery to check out the dish, I (a far less astute and seasoned gastronome than Yee) was equally bowled over.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowl over
Verb
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Some of his teammates, including Grizzle, said they were surprised by Doyle’s ability to put some spin on the ball.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
22 Oct. 2025
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The president surprised many last week by announcing that an agreement with India had been reached to stop its buying of Russian crude oil.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This isn’t the first time a dog has amazed the internet with spinal walking.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
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Kim Kardashian knows how to turn heads, but the reaction to her shapewear brand Skims unveiling of thongs with fake pubic hair amazed even her.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Those close to me were stunned by my transformation.—
Connie Bennett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
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Rafael and Deneane Hancock, who took first place, stunned the crowd with a C-Walk midway through their second scored couples dance.—
Alexa Stone
Updated October 21,
Kansas City Star,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When Charlotte was ranked 50th out of 50, the study shocked local leaders and eventual led to the formation of the Opportunity Task Force.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Oct. 2025
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The first comes in the show’s shocking cold open, in which a mother gives birth to a demonic baby that subsequently attacks an 11-year-old boy.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Across America, Halloween spending is expected to reach record levels this year, including large crowds waiting for their chance to be chased, startled and screamed at.—
Isabel Rosales,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
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White disappears completely into the role without skirting parody, portraying the exhausted hitmaker as startled by his own numbness, blanked out and unsure of what to do next.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The brutal slaying rocked the town, where such crimes were basically unheard of.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
28 Oct. 2025
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As for her hair, the 14-year-old rocked a middle part and loose curls, showcasing her bronze highlights, perfectly complementing the dress.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In her work, Warner has dispelled myths such as the one that indigenous people, astonished by modern technologies, believed that cameras stole their souls.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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He was astonished and renewed by that quiet.—
Stephen Trimble,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bowl over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowl%20over. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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