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

When Bruin Agbayani made his first trip to Citi Field as a 12-year-old, he was taken aback by the love Mets fans continued to show his dad, Benny. — Tim Britton, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

The fans who packed Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, as well as some of the players were taken aback by the performance. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Hembree said she was taken aback by one parent’s comment that their kindergartner spent four hours on an iPad in class. — Julianna Mejia july 23, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026

Kelly seemed to notice me looking perhaps slightly taken aback. — Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026

Rhymes for take aback

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