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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Not for nothing, Diaz said the album’s once-silly, punny title is suddenly not so hilarious.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
11 Nov. 2025
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Sadly, set-ups around this intense huis clos are often labored, with storylines that fizzle out and characters who become suddenly pivotal and then recede into the background.—
NPR,
NPR,
11 Nov. 2025
Adverb
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The Ghostbusters actress discussed a sketch that made SNL head honcho Lorne Michaels unexpectedly lose it during an interview with the Good One podcast.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
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When two unexpectedly return, the town dares to hope again.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Aback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aback. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.
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