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
Netizens were taken aback by the violence on display, joking about an imminent robot uprising.
—
Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 June 2026
And while Yormark remains a candidate, top UM officials and Yormark have been taken aback by the negative public reaction to him, two sources said.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
Iran’s mentors were naturally taken aback by the volcanic eruption of popular anti-Americanism in the country in 1978.
—Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026
Kudrow said she was seriously taken aback.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for take aback
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Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 June 2026
And while Yormark remains a candidate, top UM officials and Yormark have been taken aback by the negative public reaction to him, two sources said.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026
Iran’s mentors were naturally taken aback by the volcanic eruption of popular anti-Americanism in the country in 1978.
—Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026
Kudrow said she was seriously taken aback.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 28 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 8 Jun. 2026.
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