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aback

[uh-bak] / əˈbæk /
ADVERB
taken unawares
Synonyms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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When foreigners come to his dealership, they are taken aback by the prices.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

He talked about meeting Curry at the Roxy when they were bringing the show to the U.S. and how taken aback he was to see him in character.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

Posting social media fliers for free, I was taken aback when 80 people of all levels and backgrounds signed up for my first session, from ages 14 to 90.

From Salon ● Aug. 24, 2026

Edwards, from Trebanog, said he was taken aback when he found a letter from the council on the van's dashboard: "Twenty-odd years and I have never had anything like this at all. It's unbelievable."

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

The Gran looked taken aback by something the Oracle had said, and seemed to say, “Are you sure?” but Seven couldn’t be positive.

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega




Vocabulary lists containing aback


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