aback

adverb

ə-ˈbak 

1

archaic : backward, back

2

: in a position to catch the wind upon the forward surface (as of a sail)

3

: by surprise : unawares

was taken aback by her sharp retort

Synonyms of aback

• suddenly
• unexpectedly

Examples of aback in a Sentence

completely taken aback by the neighbors' announcement that they were moving

Recent Examples on the Web

Even with that, though, The Man I Love’s autobiographical shades took him aback. —David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026

Whatever the chatbot of choice for military commanders may end up being, the rampant use of AI in war has taken researchers aback. —Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 Mar. 2026

McDavid is leading the NHL in scoring at the Olympic break with 96 points with MacKinnon just three points aback. —Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026

What has taken me aback, though, is the Trump administration’s openness about how much oil is driving its policies toward Venezuela. —Aaron Coy Moulton, Twin Cities, 25 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing aback

• take aback

Rhymes for aback

• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback
• dieback

Kids Definition

aback

adverb

ə-ˈbak 

1

archaic : back entry 2 sense 1, backward

2

: by surprise : unawares

taken aback by the turn of events