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

Examples of aback in a Sentence

completely taken aback by the neighbors' announcement that they were moving
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
However, Devin’s very taken aback by her desire for a prenup. Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025 Clients were unaware of her schemes for years, though Ms. Barasch noted in court documents that Ms. Schiff’s spending on herself sometimes took her aback; she was struck when Ms. Schiff ran up a bill of $32,000 at Loewe in Paris, for things like $573 leggings and $953 jeans. Sarah Maslin Nir, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025 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 | Mstahl@al.com, al, 6 Aug. 2023 See All Example Sentences for aback

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of aback was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aback. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

aback

adverb
1
2
: by surprise : unawares
taken aback by the turn of events

More from Merriam-Webster on aback

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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