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
But when Bobbi Brown logged on and saw almost an entire pot of her new foundation—Jones Road What The Foundation—being slathered liberally over TikToker Meredith Duxbury’s face, she was slightly taken aback.
—
Hannah Coates, Vogue, 11 June 2024
Kravitz was seemingly taken aback by her forwardness, but laughed along with her.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 31 May 2024
Donny’s clearly taken aback, freezing as Martha strokes him, some horrible memory unlocked.
—Marah Eakin, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2024
Mark Consuelos was taken aback by LIVE with Kelly and Mark's audience participation on Tuesday, May 28.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 29 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for take aback 
Hannah Coates, Vogue, 11 June 2024
Kravitz was seemingly taken aback by her forwardness, but laughed along with her.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 31 May 2024
Donny’s clearly taken aback, freezing as Martha strokes him, some horrible memory unlocked.
—Marah Eakin, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2024
Mark Consuelos was taken aback by LIVE with Kelly and Mark's audience participation on Tuesday, May 28.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 29 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for take aback
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.
Dictionary Entries Near take aback
Cite this Entry
“Take aback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20aback. Accessed 30 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share