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
Even his mother was taken aback by her son’s win.
—
Daniella Segura, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Some supporters and critics alike of the 10-year, $37 million-per-year special property tax levy have been taken aback by the degree to which the school district may have crossed the line from sharing impartial information to advocacy.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 28 Oct. 2025
Shaking it, Schmidt was taken aback by the gesture.
—Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
A bit taken aback, Wheeler asked whether anyone had finished the whole chapter.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take aback
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Daniella Segura, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
Some supporters and critics alike of the 10-year, $37 million-per-year special property tax levy have been taken aback by the degree to which the school district may have crossed the line from sharing impartial information to advocacy.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 28 Oct. 2025
Shaking it, Schmidt was taken aback by the gesture.
—Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
A bit taken aback, Wheeler asked whether anyone had finished the whole chapter.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 23 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 9 Nov. 2025.
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