Definition of gee-whiznext
as in sensational
arousing a strong and usually superficial interest or emotional reaction most of the movie's budget must have gone for its gee-whiz special effects

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gee whiz

2 of 2

interjection

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 gee-whiz
Adjective
Brian is a gee-whiz irritant, with a reckless attachment to the family’s conveniently recalcitrant dog and a knack for making dangerous situations worse. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 Even a half-hour after the Giants snapped out of their funk with a satisfying victory, and Susac had a moment to reflect on the wildly successful start to his big league career, there wasn’t a hint of gee-whiz wonder in his postgame comments. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026 While the terrace is the most obvious gee-whiz feature, the 100-footer has multiple standout elements, starting with the salon. — Kevin Koenig, Robb Report, 21 Nov. 2025 The Institute never achieves either emotional potency or any sense of gee-whiz spectacle. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025 Perseverance's aurora observations, which were described in a study published Wednesday (May 14) in the journal Science Advances, have more than just gee-whiz appeal. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 15 May 2025 Are the gee-whiz tech innovations still relevant like the electric light bulb or the elevator were? — Matt Shaw, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025 California once was the state where a visionary might start up a gee-whiz concept in a garage. — Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025 Missoula, Montana, where he was born, bequeathed him a folksy Eagle Scout congeniality, all nasal delivery and gee-whiz enthusiasm. — Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2025
Interjection
This does not exclude that some science journalism will rightly be of the gee whiz variety or will prioritize entertainment value or will see its primary usefulness as linked to science literacy. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gee-whiz
Adjective
  • Otherwise, one writer from the first season (Jeff Strauss) is included, but nobody with a high enough profile is there to say anything that might be interpreted as sensational or sensationalistic.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026
  • In a freakier offshoot of the romantasy that has overtaken bestseller lists in recent years, these monster tales have sensational titles and even wilder plots.
    — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
Interjection
  • Certain movements may aggravate the pain, such as, oh, swinging a golf club.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
  • Some people think, oh, the show’s about true romance, true love conquering it all.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 8 June 2026
Adjective
  • The rooms, with colorful textiles, ceramics from Oaxaca’s La Chicharra studio, whitewashed walls offset with dark sapodilla wood floors, are cool and welcoming after a day in the bright sun.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Polish artist and designer Sonia Górecka often turns to folklore for her ethereal textile creations, mixing and matching traditional pagan figures and motifs on sheer curtains and colorful hanging jacquard weavings.
    — Francesca Perry, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Interjection
  • All these additions work well (although the headlight does tend to rattle itself off axis over a bumpy piece of road).
    — Loz Blain October 26, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The possibility that my father had intentionally maneuvered me toward fiction in order to avoid the truth—well, that never occurred to me.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • There was more screaming and yelling for people who wanted to get a ventilator available in their home.
    — Chris Lee, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2021
Interjection
  • But hey, the dating pool isn’t the easiest place to swim these days, so live and let live.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • So if that’s you, the Edge is here because hey — time truly is a flat circle.
    — Victoria Song, The Verge, 26 Oct. 2026
Interjection
  • Oh gee, is that supposed to be me in the video with the goatee?
    — Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • And gee if there were only a very effective way of preventing the measles.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Interjection
  • Though the missing books have been on the DA’s radar since the last century, no one’s had a lead on the thief lo these many decades.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Remember lo those many weeks ago when the ground wasn't covered in snow?
    — Amber Hunt, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gee-whiz.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gee-whiz. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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