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
The Bruins don’t have to trade Coyle and probably won’t unless they’re bowled over with an offer, especially to a division rival.
—
Jonas Siegel, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Rescue workers have been searching for survivors amid the debris of shantytowns bowled over by 200 kph (124 mph) winds.
—Reuters, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
The episodes air weekly on Wednesday and this week's instalment has Kelce bowled over to learn about Sylvester Stallone's admiration for him.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
Kieran Culkin draws the camera in as Benji, an unpredictable, confrontational and yet tragically empathetic man who has been bowled over by grief.
—Maya Phillips, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Jonas Siegel, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Rescue workers have been searching for survivors amid the debris of shantytowns bowled over by 200 kph (124 mph) winds.
—Reuters, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024
The episodes air weekly on Wednesday and this week's instalment has Kelce bowled over to learn about Sylvester Stallone's admiration for him.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
Kieran Culkin draws the camera in as Benji, an unpredictable, confrontational and yet tragically empathetic man who has been bowled over by grief.
—Maya Phillips, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bowl over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bowl over
Verb
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During a press conference on Thursday (Apr. 3), Raleigh festival organizers surprised fans by revealing that Dreamville Fest will return in the future under a new iteration.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
5 Apr. 2025
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On March 14, Parton surprised fans by appearing at Dollywood's Celebrity Theater in honor of Dollywood’s 40th anniversary.—
Elizabeth Stanton,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This isn't the first time a thrift store find has amazed the internet.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Mar. 2025
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After sharing this revelation on TikTok, Kiersten has amazed social media users with the selection of designer bags inside her mom's garage.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Related article Filipina teenager Alexandra Eala stuns five-time grand slam champion Iga Świątek to reach Miami Open semifinals Despite losing, Eala wore a beaming smile on her face before walking off the court, with the crowd applauding her for a memorable run.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2025
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Rogen was also stunned when a Hollywood heavyweight director agreed to appear.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Another photographer told me how she was shocked by the amount of couples booking for years down the line.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
9 Apr. 2025
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Moment Mom Realizes What 11-Year-Old Daughter Had Been Doing With Scissors By Jack Beresford Senior Life and Trends Reporter Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 0 A mom was shocked to discover that her 11-year-old daughter had made some noticeable modifications to her school uniform.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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One of the movie’s scenes — startling for its frankness but also its visual beauty — finds the men reclined in the dark of the mine.—
The New York Times,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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The investigations left some school leaders startled and confused, wondering what prompted the inquiries.—
Cheyanne Mumphrey,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Nintendo rocked the video game world last week with the unveiling of its new console the Switch 2, its price and, most surprisingly, a driving cow.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
7 Apr. 2025
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Their unions rocked the city with four industry-wide strikes between 1912 and 1934, before settling the Industry Wide Agreement that encouraged peaceful resolution of disputes.—
Shaun Richman,
New York Daily News,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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They too would have been astonished by its subtle yet pleasant effects and its practical use.—
Wade Davis,
Rolling Stone,
6 Apr. 2025
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Former and current military fighter pilots were astonished that the Secretary of Defense texted details of the classified attack plan.—
Rick Pozniak,
Boston Herald,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bowl over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bowl%20over. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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