take aback
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
Joe Vostrejs was taken aback by the boathouse questioning.
—
Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Even Grohl seemed to be taken aback.
—Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 1 May 2026
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
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.
Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Even Grohl seemed to be taken aback.
—Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 1 May 2026
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
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 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
