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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.

During his run, he said, he was taken aback by sights such as a North Korean raising a poodle’s paw to wave at runners.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

Nash said: "I was taken aback that we were able to date it and analyse the pigments. This is an exciting rediscovery, significant in understanding what was going on in Wales in the deep past."

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

After the destruction of the Verona fire, Teller was taken aback by the support from neighbors and even his competition in the beekeeping business.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

BP directors and company outsiders were at times taken aback by how assured Manifold seemed even before he had met with business heads, people familiar with the discussions said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

He was completely taken aback by the cat’s reply.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques




Vocabulary lists containing aback


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