bowl over

verb

Definition of bowl overnext
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

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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 The mixture is cooked in a double boiler (or in a stainless-steel bowl over a pot of simmering water) until thick, creating a custard-like consistency. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 15 July 2026 Place a medium heatproof bowl over the saucepan, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. — Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 10 July 2026 So far, the league appears to be taking a slower path, rather than trying to bowl over players at the outset. — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 25 June 2026 This is yet another example of how an excellent piece of literature could be bowled over by controversy. — Spin Team, SPIN, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowl over
  1. surprise
  2. amaze
  3. stun
  4. shock
  5. startle
  6. astonish
Verb
  • Her care team, however, surprised her by bringing the concert experience to her hospital room.
    — Lauren Pastrana, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Jonathan Adler, a law professor at the College of William & Mary who has written on Roberts’s views on standing, told me he was surprised by Roberts’s vote.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of surprise
Verb
  • But of the many falsehoods told by them, there was one which quite amazed me.
    — Agnes Callard, The New York Review of Books, 18 Aug. 2026
  • His greatness is never in question, but to have the league at a standstill because of a 41-year-old free agent amazes me.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of amaze
Verb
  • The two competitors crashed through the table, leaving the fans stunned.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Locals gathering at the site of Pretti’s murder were stunned and furious.
    — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of stun
Verb
  • Otherwise, considering the Seahawks had only three safeties on their initial 53-man roster, I wouldn’t be shocked if a cornerback entered the lineup.
    — Andrew Destin, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • When it was released in 2016, Hero shocked the country music establishment in more ways than one.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of shock
Verb
  • This horror movie mostly just smelled of fake fog from a community theater production and occasionally you were startled by random bursts of air, once again pulling you from the events on screen.
    — Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Of those who were injured, officials said that many were hurt while falling down or hitting themselves against furniture after being startled by the earthquake while sleeping.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of startle
Verb
  • The heated rhetoric has infuriated and astonished most Canadians; in a recent poll, seventy-six per cent supported the decision of the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, to walk away from trade talks with Washington.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Booming demand Anthropic’s growth has been astonishing even by Silicon Valley standards.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of astonish

Browse Nearby Words

bowling over
bowl over
bowls
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Cite this Entry

“Bowl over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowl%20over. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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