take aback
phrasal 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
On one especially hot and muggy day, we were taken aback when — in a matter of minutes — the broiling sun gave way to rain and then a brief but intense hailstorm.
—
George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 May 2024
Still, even Thomas was taken aback to learn in recent days that building owner Jim Crockarell — principal of Madison Equities — had died in January and that his widow has put the Alliance Center and five other office buildings on the market.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 10 May 2024
Business owners Joseph and Patricia Elmore had hoped summer’s brisker business would make up for slower winter sales and were taken aback when the lease was not renewed.
—Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 10 May 2024
The three-time gold medalist was seemingly taken aback by the rapper’s largesse.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 7 May 2024
Mayuzumi is taken aback and apologizes and promises more information.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 7 May 2024
Jackie’s friends fell silent, clearly taken aback by his sudden looming presence.
—Simon Rich, The New Yorker, 6 May 2024
He's been taken aback by some schools' reactions to lunch debts, like one that barred students from buying prom tickets.
—Ronnie Li, USA TODAY, 3 May 2024
He was taken aback by the physical mannerisms that echoed between father and son.
—Jordan Runtagh, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024
George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 May 2024
Still, even Thomas was taken aback to learn in recent days that building owner Jim Crockarell — principal of Madison Equities — had died in January and that his widow has put the Alliance Center and five other office buildings on the market.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 10 May 2024
Business owners Joseph and Patricia Elmore had hoped summer’s brisker business would make up for slower winter sales and were taken aback when the lease was not renewed.
—Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 10 May 2024
The three-time gold medalist was seemingly taken aback by the rapper’s largesse.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 7 May 2024
Mayuzumi is taken aback and apologizes and promises more information.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 7 May 2024
Jackie’s friends fell silent, clearly taken aback by his sudden looming presence.
—Simon Rich, The New Yorker, 6 May 2024
He's been taken aback by some schools' reactions to lunch debts, like one that barred students from buying prom tickets.
—Ronnie Li, USA TODAY, 3 May 2024
He was taken aback by the physical mannerisms that echoed between father and son.
—Jordan Runtagh, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'take aback.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Take aback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20aback. Accessed 18 May. 2024.
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