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
We were completely bowled over, just in total disbelief.
—
Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
Place the butter, molasses, honey, ginger, and water in a large bowl, place the bowl over a pan of simmering water, and whisk until the butter is melted and everything is warm and well combined.
—Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 23 Nov. 2025
Swiss meringues are made whipping egg whites and sugar together with the bowl over boiling water until the sugar is dissolved and then whipped again.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
This Nix lowered his shoulder on one carry and bowled over Jets cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowl over
Verb
-
But no one was surprised by the play in the Panthers’ locker room, even after Scott’s struggles in 2024.—
-
While each deposit may seem small, this money can snowball over time and surprise you.—
Verb
-
An artist who never fails to amaze me.—
-
The universe amazed me yet again.—
Verb
-
So we were stunned to read about how Sean Harden, chair of the Chicago Board of Education as duly appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, reportedly had launched two internal investigations into how that board’s super-secret business got into the hands of reporters.—
-
Others were stunned by individual line items.—
Verb
-
An injury to Jordan Cox, who had been due to keep wicket, saw a reshuffle and a decision that shocked everyone.—
-
On Tuesday night, the football program was shocked to see on social media that Williams had announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal.—
Verb
-
Mission Viejo Animal Services responded to a call Friday morning from a Rancho Santa Margarita resident who reported that strong winds had startled the 16-month-old dog, Lana, prompting her to flee into a canyon area between Dove Canyon and Coto de Caza.—
-
Authorities in southern Colorado are investigating after a sudden explosion damaged a building and startled nearby residents.—
Verb
-
The Royals lost 106 games in his first season but astonished the baseball world by making the playoffs in 2024.—
-
Researchers studying the carcasses of bats in a cave system were astonished to find evidence that common rats have developed a method of catching and eating bats mid-flight—something previously unknown to science.—
Cite this Entry
“Bowl over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowl%20over. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
