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
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Recent Examples of gee-whiz
Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Apr. 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
While invisibility cloaks are a gee-whiz application, metamaterials now offer real-world commercial applications such as new antenna technologies for mobile phones.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Dec. 2018
Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Apr. 2026
Wow, gee whiz, golly wolly!
—Eric Todisco, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2023
Adjective
While it has historically been linked to the promotion of science and gee-whiz stories that seek to fascinate people, through time its roles have diversified to showcase that one strength of science journalism as a profession is a critical stance on scientific and technology issues.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Apr. 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
While invisibility cloaks are a gee-whiz application, metamaterials now offer real-world commercial applications such as new antenna technologies for mobile phones.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Dec. 2018
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
Wow, gee whiz, golly wolly!
—Eric Todisco, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gee-whiz
Adjective
-
So, if true, the sensational claims would undermine a core privacy feature of WhatsApp.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
5 May 2026
-
Messi had assisted on Miami’s first two goals — by Ian Fray and Telasco Segovia — and then scored on a sensational strike of his own, seemingly setting Miami on its way to an easy three points.—
Avi Creditor,
New York Times,
3 May 2026
Adjective
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Turner, a colorful figure with a Southern drawl and rail-thin mustache, had pronounced views himself, often (though not exclusively) of a liberal bent.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
6 May 2026
-
Create a colorful and energetic ‘Bright Bunch’ bouquet using Suncredible® Yellow II Helianthus, Truffula™ Pink Gomphrena, and Sunstar® Lavender Pentas.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 May 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
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And even if you are somehow blessed enough to be able to give a multi-million-dollar donation to a cultural institution…well, the guest list is already full of those whose checks have already been cashed.—
Elise Taylor,
Vanity Fair,
2 May 2026
-
Because the prospects have turned into, well, Schlittler and Rice, haven’t they?—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Interjection
-
But, hey, team strikeouts are down!—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
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Alright, so not a hot start for the McLaren clubs, but hey, this is why people don't normally switch up their equipment before big tournaments.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Interjection
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Oh gee, is that supposed to be me in the video with the goatee?—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
As the spigot closed, inflation spiked (gee, maybe there’s a connection?) and the economy slowed, the state budget went from a whopping surplus to stubborn deficits.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
6 Aug. 2025
Interjection
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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
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And lo, there are truck chases and car chases and club shoot-outs and multiple people falling off buildings and an epic train derailment and approximately 197 shots of Mark Wahlberg using some poor bastard’s body as a shield as it’s plugged full of bullet holes.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 Sep. 2025
Interjection
-
Though it was intended to be a yes or no question — Pratt said no — Bass and Raman had more to say on the topic.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
But, no — better to do things than not do things.—
Nick Newman,
IndieWire,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gee-whiz.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gee-whiz. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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