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
He was taken aback by the physical mannerisms that echoed between father and son.
—
Jordan Runtagh, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024
Readers were taken aback by myriad aspects of Christie’s florid essay, which runs nearly 4,000 words.
—Raul A. Reyes, NBC News, 1 Apr. 2024
Another doctor who attended was taken aback when Biden claimed to have already seen photos of malnourished women and children in Gaza — except the doctor had printed the photos from her own phone.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024
Yet they were taken aback and changed course Tuesday after network personalities like Chuck Todd and Rachel Maddow objected to working with someone who had trafficked in election disinformation.
—David Bauder, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
When Peterson entered her house, she was taken aback.
—Peter Hecht, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024
In the documentary, Bell recalls being taken aback by the unwavering support so many industry executives showed for Brian Peck.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024
Gillespie appeared taken aback at seeing them, Wells recalled in an interview, then collected himself.
—Tom Jackman, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024
Like many Denver residents, Gomez was taken aback as the numbers of migrants swelled, hearing their Venezuelan accents on the street near her apartment.
—Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2024
Jordan Runtagh, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024
Readers were taken aback by myriad aspects of Christie’s florid essay, which runs nearly 4,000 words.
—Raul A. Reyes, NBC News, 1 Apr. 2024
Another doctor who attended was taken aback when Biden claimed to have already seen photos of malnourished women and children in Gaza — except the doctor had printed the photos from her own phone.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024
Yet they were taken aback and changed course Tuesday after network personalities like Chuck Todd and Rachel Maddow objected to working with someone who had trafficked in election disinformation.
—David Bauder, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
When Peterson entered her house, she was taken aback.
—Peter Hecht, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024
In the documentary, Bell recalls being taken aback by the unwavering support so many industry executives showed for Brian Peck.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024
Gillespie appeared taken aback at seeing them, Wells recalled in an interview, then collected himself.
—Tom Jackman, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024
Like many Denver residents, Gomez was taken aback as the numbers of migrants swelled, hearing their Venezuelan accents on the street near her apartment.
—Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'take aback.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near take aback
Cite this Entry
“Take aback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20aback. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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