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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One’s impression is suddenly modified by the casual strength his handshake conveys, and rightly so, for beneath the elegant lines of his suit are hidden a hard body and the stamina of 10 battalions.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
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But there’s a dark side to this turn against the suddenly middle-aged, passé millennial generation.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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Typically, Angels work alone, but when the Christmas Connection Department faces the threat of downsizing, Monica and Michael are unexpectedly paired to ensure Daisy and Patrick fall in love before Christmas.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
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Things might be different now, as MFE this week unexpectedly cleared out the ProSieben C-suite and replacing respected ProSieben CEO Bert Habets with its own CFO, Marco Giordani.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aback. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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