bowl over

verb

bowled over; bowling over; bowls over
Synonyms of bowl overnext

transitive verb

1
: to take unawares
2
: impress entry 1 sense 1

Synonyms of bowl over

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Examples of bowl over in a Sentence

she was bowled over to learn that she had a long-lost sister
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Many of the selections struggled to bowl over critics. — Jake Coyle, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 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 Here are the details on cheeseboard-worthy nuts that will leave you refilling the bowl over and over, and the sad, crunched up, disrespected nuts that should remain on the shelf. — Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 15 May 2026 When ready to serve, unwrap the top of the cake and place a cake plate over the top of the bowl Turn the bowl over to release the cake and gently pull back the plastic wrap and discard it. — Mary Ann Esposito, Boston Herald, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bowl over

Word History

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bowl over was in 1861

Rhymes for bowl over

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Browse Nearby Words

bowling stump
bowl over
bowly
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Cite this Entry

“Bowl over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bowl%20over. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bowl over

verb
1
: to hit and knock down while quickly moving past
2
: to greatly surprise or impress
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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