take aback
verb
took aback; taken aback; taking aback; takes aback
: to surprise or shock (someone)
—usually used as (be) taken aback
—often + by
When I told him my answer, he seemed taken aback.
He was taken aback by her answer.
Examples of take aback in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Counsell seemed to be taken aback by the question, or perhaps by my showing up to ask him a question. —
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026 The more revealing question is why he was taken aback in the first place – and what that tells us about the meaning of relationships. —Oluwaseun Damilola Sanwoolu, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026 Amanda said she was taken aback. —Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026 Chris Kapakos, who owns three buildings on the list that are on the same block as Bob’s News, was taken aback when a reporter contacted him Wednesday. —Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for take aback
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026 The more revealing question is why he was taken aback in the first place – and what that tells us about the meaning of relationships. —Oluwaseun Damilola Sanwoolu, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2026 Amanda said she was taken aback. —Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026 Chris Kapakos, who owns three buildings on the list that are on the same block as Bob’s News, was taken aback when a reporter contacted him Wednesday. —Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for take aback
Cite this Entry
“Take aback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/take%20aback. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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