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
They are taken aback by her audacity and goad her into detailing the book’s genesis.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Also following the victory over the Lions, Mahomes said that he was taken aback by Simmons' situation.
—Anne Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Given their email correspondence and OpenAI’s subsequent silence, Ruby-Sachs was taken aback by OpenAI’s subpoena in early September.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2025
The legendary star was taken aback, Witherspoon shared, by the teen from Nashville’s strong southern accent.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take aback
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Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Also following the victory over the Lions, Mahomes said that he was taken aback by Simmons' situation.
—Anne Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Given their email correspondence and OpenAI’s subsequent silence, Ruby-Sachs was taken aback by OpenAI’s subpoena in early September.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2025
The legendary star was taken aback, Witherspoon shared, by the teen from Nashville’s strong southern accent.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 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 21 Oct. 2025.
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