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
Even lawmakers who’ve been around Springfield a long time were taken aback at the audacity of Senate President Don Harmon slipping a provision into a broader elections reform bill that would have gotten his campaign off the hook for a potential penalty well into the millions.
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The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
They were especially taken aback when fans started playing practical jokes related to the show, some of which went a little too far.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 9 June 2025
Mariah was taken aback and denied skipping out on the date.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 4 June 2025
Spinrad visited Southern California in late May and was taken aback by the number of people raising concern over the agency’s ability to continue predicting atmospheric river events, with all of their implications on public safety, reservoir operations and hydro power.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for take aback
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The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
They were especially taken aback when fans started playing practical jokes related to the show, some of which went a little too far.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 9 June 2025
Mariah was taken aback and denied skipping out on the date.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 4 June 2025
Spinrad visited Southern California in late May and was taken aback by the number of people raising concern over the agency’s ability to continue predicting atmospheric river events, with all of their implications on public safety, reservoir operations and hydro power.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 1 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 15 Jun. 2025.
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