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 + byHe was taken aback by her answer.
Examples of take aback in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
On my way out, I was taken aback by a display inside the factory visible to all the workers.
—
Judy Knotts, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Meanwhile, Detroiters were similarly taken aback, including those who man the city’s X account.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 2 July 2025
However, her mom was taken aback by the news because of her family’s background in the civil rights movement.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 1 July 2025
So when the cuts to the stipends were announced on June 16, she was taken aback.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for take aback
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Judy Knotts, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Meanwhile, Detroiters were similarly taken aback, including those who man the city’s X account.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 2 July 2025
However, her mom was taken aback by the news because of her family’s background in the civil rights movement.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 1 July 2025
So when the cuts to the stipends were announced on June 16, she was taken aback.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2025
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 11 Jul. 2025.
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