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
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
Many internet users were equally as shocked and backed u/Specken_zee_Doitch for being so taken aback by this update, leading to almost 2,000 comments so far.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Chiklis said he was taken aback by the massive size of the stadiums around the area.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take aback
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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
Many internet users were equally as shocked and backed u/Specken_zee_Doitch for being so taken aback by this update, leading to almost 2,000 comments so far.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Chiklis said he was taken aback by the massive size of the stadiums around the area.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 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 29 Sep. 2025.
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