take aback

phrasal 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

The 22-year-old was taken aback, but then went and worked out and prepared for next season, according to the report. —Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 24 Jan. 2026

If some listeners occasionally were taken aback by what Boers said, he could be taken aback by what some of them said as well. —Phil Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026

The Schitt's Creek actor was taken aback by the royal’s mode of transportation in the episode, which aired in October. —Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026

The average internet user of 2016 might be taken aback by the joyful nihilism of 2026 memes—2016 wasn’t a particularly wholesome year, but there was a comparative innocence compared to today. —Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026

Rhymes for take aback

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