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 + by

He was taken aback by her answer.

Examples of take aback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Senior White House officials were taken aback by the anger expressed by farmers and others in the agricultural sector after the first report was released, according to lobbyists who worked with companies and groups involved in some of these discussions and who spoke on the condition of anonymity. —Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 29 Sep. 2025

Still, he was taken aback to receive notice that his rent would climb to $1,124, which likely would force him to find a new place. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 25 Sep. 2025

McLachlan remembers, noting how the rest of the Lilith headliners were pleasantly taken aback. —Rachel Brodsky, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025

Charlamagne, taken aback, asked why Dame had such an issue with homosexuality. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 16 Sep. 2025

Rhymes for take aback

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