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

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Which is why we’re so taken aback by what’s come out. Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025 Fast forward to 2025, Snoop was taken aback that Lightyear included a character with two moms. Shania Russell, EW.com, 26 Aug. 2025 But one mom recently dropped her 9-month-old daughter off at a new daycare and was taken aback by a necklace worn by the teacher in charge of the infant room. Sarah Scott, Parents, 25 Aug. 2025 An employee who joined Sotheby’s around this time was taken aback by the state of the offices at the York Avenue headquarters. Sam Knight, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for take aback

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Cite this Entry

“Take aback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20aback. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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