as in suddenly
without warning
completely taken aback by the neighbors' announcement that they were moving
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Recent Examples of aback
Glen Sitwell, a building manager who watched all of this play out from his corner office, said the aggressive posture of the agents took him aback.
—
Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
But the script’s unhurried reveal took me aback: What starts as an intriguing period drama set in the Jim Crow–era South curdles into a chilling showdown.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Apr. 2025
However, Devin’s very taken aback by her desire for a prenup.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025
The audience’s reaction and engagement have taken us all aback.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for aback
Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
But the script’s unhurried reveal took me aback: What starts as an intriguing period drama set in the Jim Crow–era South curdles into a chilling showdown.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Apr. 2025
However, Devin’s very taken aback by her desire for a prenup.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025
The audience’s reaction and engagement have taken us all aback.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for aback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aback
Adverb
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Then the 23-year-old's plane suddenly dove straight into the ground and caught on fire.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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Their unlikely friendship ended in February 1987, when Warhol died suddenly after a complicated gall bladder operation.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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While working on the project, costs ballooned unexpectedly—reaching well over six figures—and this doctrine became an important reminder when justifying the expenses.—
Michelle Duncan,
Architectural Digest,
31 Oct. 2025
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The team proposes a few different mechanisms that could account for the unexpectedly rapid brightening of this comet from beyond the solar system.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aback. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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