take aback

verb

took aback; taken aback; taking aback; takes aback

: to surprise or shock (someone)

—usually used as (be) taken aback

When I told him my answer, he seemed taken aback.

—often + by

He was taken aback by her answer.

Examples of take aback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Grigory Yavlinsky, a co-founder of Yabloko and a prominent liberal Russian politician, told CNN that the Kremlin was taken aback by support for the party and its core message calling for a ceasefire in Ukraine. — Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026

Kendall Williams, who owns Bluebonnet and Thyme right across from the AAC, says she's taken aback by the level of security measures. — Briseida Holguin, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026

And, according to Allen, they were taken aback by their mom’s fame. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 5 Sep. 2026

But when producers took the project out to the market, they were taken aback. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for take aback

• ammoniac
• biofeedback
• counterattack
• demoniac
• elegiac
• noncardiac
• paranoiac
• ack
• brack
• clack
• crack
• dak