as in suddenly
without warning
completely taken aback by the neighbors' announcement that they were moving
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Recent Examples of aback
Not all of them will necessarily fall under the legislation, and any can challenge their inclusion, but the breadth of platforms Inman Grant was considering took some Australians aback and confused others.
—
Belinda Luscombe, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Related Stories Saarinen has been voicing similar concerns for years – but the latest development still took him aback.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 18 Sep. 2025
Rodgers took some players aback by his just-one-of-the-guys approach.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Hashim Raza remembers being thrown aback when his son professed his love for Hussain-Raza.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for aback
Belinda Luscombe, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Related Stories Saarinen has been voicing similar concerns for years – but the latest development still took him aback.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 18 Sep. 2025
Rodgers took some players aback by his just-one-of-the-guys approach.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Hashim Raza remembers being thrown aback when his son professed his love for Hussain-Raza.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for aback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aback
Adverb
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There was so much physical comedy, and setting up jokes, and having to hit the rhythm, and then suddenly something totally tragic happens.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
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An exciting next step would be to study what happens near a quantum phase transition—a point where a material suddenly changes its state, similar to water freezing into ice, but driven by quantum effects.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Though Euphoria actor Angus Cloud died unexpectedly in 2023 following season 2 of the HBO show, the actor's beloved character, Fezco, lives on in season 3.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Apr. 2026
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In late February, Ellison’s Paramount Skydance prevailed in a nearly six-month bidding war after Netflix unexpectedly bowed out when the elder Ellison agreed to financially back his son’s $111-billion deal.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Aback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aback. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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