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
The manager would be taken aback by this, but Garcia was serious. . . .
—
Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2025
The Huskies were taken aback by the huge Maine crowd in the Hockey East final in Boston, but appeared ready for the environment Sunday.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2025
Senior players were taken aback by the amount of running demanded of them in sessions during the trip, especially close to two friendly wins against Kashima Antlers (5-1) and Tokyo Verdy (4-2), played in temperatures above 30C (86F) and high humidity in Tokyo.
—Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
Jason and Travis were both taken aback by their dad's blunt response.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take aback
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Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2025
The Huskies were taken aback by the huge Maine crowd in the Hockey East final in Boston, but appeared ready for the environment Sunday.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2025
Senior players were taken aback by the amount of running demanded of them in sessions during the trip, especially close to two friendly wins against Kashima Antlers (5-1) and Tokyo Verdy (4-2), played in temperatures above 30C (86F) and high humidity in Tokyo.
—Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
Jason and Travis were both taken aback by their dad's blunt response.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 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 2 May. 2025.
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