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
Initially taken aback by the intensity of Dortmund’s training sessions, Dembele soon got up to speed and credited head coach Thomas Tuchel with giving him the liberty to play his natural game.
—
Tom Williams, New York Times, 30 May 2025
But among those who were taken aback by the announcement was Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, who serves as chair of the California State Lands Commission and has oversight of offshore oil pipelines.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
Though the protagonist is taken aback, real-life Jeff gets where Saget was coming from.
—Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 May 2025
Pictures show Catholics visibly taken aback by the display, which was part of the opening ceremony of public veneration, on Sunday.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for take aback
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Tom Williams, New York Times, 30 May 2025
But among those who were taken aback by the announcement was Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, who serves as chair of the California State Lands Commission and has oversight of offshore oil pipelines.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
Though the protagonist is taken aback, real-life Jeff gets where Saget was coming from.
—Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 May 2025
Pictures show Catholics visibly taken aback by the display, which was part of the opening ceremony of public veneration, on Sunday.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for take aback
Cite this Entry
“Take aback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20aback. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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