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

Examples of aback in a Sentence

completely taken aback by the neighbors' announcement that they were moving
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.
Not all of them will necessarily fall under the legislation, and any can challenge their inclusion, but the breadth of platforms Inman Grant was considering took some Australians aback and confused others. Belinda Luscombe, Time, 8 Oct. 2025 Related Stories Saarinen has been voicing similar concerns for years – but the latest development still took him aback. Marta Balaga, Variety, 18 Sep. 2025 Rodgers took some players aback by his just-one-of-the-guys approach. Mike Jones, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025 Hashim Raza remembers being thrown aback when his son professed his love for Hussain-Raza. Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for aback

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of aback was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aback. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

aback

adverb
1
2
: by surprise : unawares
taken aback by the turn of events

More from Merriam-Webster on aback

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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