aback

adverb

ə-ˈbak 

1

archaic : backward, back

2

: in a position to catch the wind upon the forward surface (as of a sail)

3

: by surprise : unawares

was taken aback by her sharp retort

Synonyms

• suddenly
• unanticipatedly
• unaware
• unawares
• unexpectedly

Examples of aback in a Sentence

completely taken aback by the neighbors' announcement that they were moving

Recent Examples on the Web

The audience’s reaction and engagement have taken us all aback. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024

The southern hospitality took Alabama football’s new offensive coordinator aback. —Matt Stahl | [e-mail], al, 6 Aug. 2023

Free Daily and Monthly Horoscopes Read the full Cancer Daily Horoscope Leo (July 23 - August 22) Your own brilliance could take you aback today. —USA TODAY, 23 July 2023

While the half-point increase was broadly expected, the dire warning about the fragility of the U.K. economy and stagflation, the toxic combination of no economic growth and inflation, took markets aback. —Will Horner, WSJ, 4 Aug. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing aback

• take aback

Kids Definition

aback

adverb

ə-ˈbak 

1

archaic : back entry 2 sense 1, backward

2

: by surprise : unawares

taken aback by the turn of events