as in suddenly
without warning
completely taken aback by the neighbors' announcement that they were moving
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of aback
Rather than getting tied to the likes of a large heavy-duty Mercedes Zetros or MAN TGS cab, the new Bliss 8 is designed to ride aback smaller, nimbler 4x4 chassis like the Toyota Land Cruiser or Ford F-Series.
—
New Atlas,
14 Nov. 2025
Not all of them will necessarily fall under the legislation, and any can challenge their inclusion, but the breadth of platforms Inman Grant was considering took some Australians aback and confused others.
—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
8 Oct. 2025
Related Stories Saarinen has been voicing similar concerns for years – but the latest development still took him aback.
—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
18 Sep. 2025
Rodgers took some players aback by his just-one-of-the-guys approach.
—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aback
New Atlas,
14 Nov. 2025
Not all of them will necessarily fall under the legislation, and any can challenge their inclusion, but the breadth of platforms Inman Grant was considering took some Australians aback and confused others.
—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
8 Oct. 2025
Related Stories Saarinen has been voicing similar concerns for years – but the latest development still took him aback.
—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
18 Sep. 2025
Rodgers took some players aback by his just-one-of-the-guys approach.
—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for aback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aback
Adverb
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Not because a new appendix deserves a barnstorming tour, or because county unemployment data has suddenly become beach reading.
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In some areas, the water may look shallow and calm yet drop off suddenly into deep pools.
Adverb
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Expecting a change of pace, she is instead unexpectedly pulled into a murder investigation involving a female climate activist.
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And suddenly, all those pages of analysis feel a lot like a MapQuest printout when the road is unexpectedly closed.
Cite this Entry
“Aback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aback. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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