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 + byHe was taken aback by her answer.
Examples of take aback in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kudrow said she was seriously taken aback.
—
Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026
But Rodriguez, who has endorsed Bass for mayor and is a frequent critic of Raman, said she was taken aback by Raman’s attitude at their dinner.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
Arteta looked completely taken aback when handed a microphone to address supporters at the end of their last home match this season, only to be drowned out by the sound of the Emirates choir serenading him with song.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 23 May 2026
Avant and Svala's family loved the idea — as did all the staff members at his school — but the teen admits some of his friends were a bit taken aback.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for take aback
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Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026
But Rodriguez, who has endorsed Bass for mayor and is a frequent critic of Raman, said she was taken aback by Raman’s attitude at their dinner.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026
Arteta looked completely taken aback when handed a microphone to address supporters at the end of their last home match this season, only to be drowned out by the sound of the Emirates choir serenading him with song.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 23 May 2026
Avant and Svala's family loved the idea — as did all the staff members at his school — but the teen admits some of his friends were a bit taken aback.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for take aback
Cite this Entry
“Take aback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20aback. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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