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
Similarly, teammates seem to have been taken aback by his speed.
—
Joey Knight, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2025
Yang, 34, didn’t seem too taken aback by his co-host’s confession.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Given his original one-episode arc, the actor was initially taken aback at being approached to reenter the world of the British period drama.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2025
The manager would be taken aback by this, but Garcia was serious. . . .
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for take aback
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Joey Knight, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2025
Yang, 34, didn’t seem too taken aback by his co-host’s confession.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Given his original one-episode arc, the actor was initially taken aback at being approached to reenter the world of the British period drama.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2025
The manager would be taken aback by this, but Garcia was serious. . . .
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 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 18 May. 2025.
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