take aback
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
So some insiders have been taken aback by Chevalier’s powerful challenge, with polls suggesting a very close race.
—
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 20 June 2026
Which is why they weren’t taken aback when Pulisic wasn’t among the 11.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 20 June 2026
And so with this, I definitely was taken aback.
—Clarissa Cruz, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026
Netizens were taken aback by the violence on display, joking about an imminent robot uprising.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for take aback
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Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 20 June 2026
Which is why they weren’t taken aback when Pulisic wasn’t among the 11.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 20 June 2026
And so with this, I definitely was taken aback.
—Clarissa Cruz, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026
Netizens were taken aback by the violence on display, joking about an imminent robot uprising.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 June 2026
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 23 Jun. 2026.
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