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Definitions

taken aback

ADJECTIVE
abashed
Synonyms
STRONG
bewildered bugged chagrined confounded confused crushed discombobulated disconcerted embarrassed fazed fuddled humbled humiliated mortified rattled shamed
WEAK
ashamed in a tizzy
Antonyms
STRONG
clear oriented understanding
WEAK
at ease composed emboldened proud reassured
ADJECTIVE
bewildered
Synonyms
STRONGEST
astonished awed baffled befuddled dazed mystified perplexed puzzled rattled shocked startled stunned surprised
STRONG
addled appalled astounded dazzled disconcerted dizzy dumbfounded flabbergasted floored flustered lost misled muddled reeling staggered stumped stupefied thrown
WEAK
agape aghast agog awe-struck bowled over dumbstruck flipped-out giddy in a dither punchy shook-up speechless thunderstruck uncertain unglued
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aware
STRONG
clear
WEAK
oriented understanding
ADJECTIVE
confused
Synonyms
STRONGEST
baffled befuddled bewildered dazed disorganized distracted muddled perplexed perturbed puzzled
STRONG
abashed addled discombobulated disconcerted flummoxed flustered gone misled nonplussed stumped thrown unscrewed unzipped woolly
WEAK
at a loss at sea at sixes and sevens come apart fouled-up glassy-eyed mixed up not with it out to lunch punch-drunk punchy screwy shook-up shot to pieces slaphappy spaced out thrown off balance unglued
Antonyms
STRONGEST
clear
STRONG
composed
WEAK
methodical ordered organized oriented separated systematic understanding
ADJECTIVE
disconcerted
Synonyms
STRONG
annoyed bewildered distracted disturbed embarrassed fazed flustered nonplussed perturbed rattled ruffled thrown troubled unsettled unzipped upset
WEAK
caught off balance come apart in botheration messed-up mixed-up out of countenance psyched-out shook-up spaced-out unglued
Antonyms
STRONG
happy settled
WEAK
calm composed concerted soothed unworried
ADJECTIVE
dumbfounded
Synonyms
STRONG
amazed astonished bamboozled beat bewildered buffaloed confounded dismayed flabbergasted floored knocked licked nonplused overcome overwhelmed puzzled shocked staggered startled stuck stumped stunned surprised thrown
WEAK
agape aghast blown-away bowled over breathless dumb speechless thunderstruck
Antonyms
STRONG
aware
WEAK
expectant unsurprised
ADJECTIVE
muddle-headed
Synonyms
WEAK
abashed addled addlepated at a loss at sea at sixes and sevens baffled befuddled bewildered come apart confounded confusional dazed discombobulated disconcerted disorganized distracted flummoxed flustered fouled-up glassy-eyed gone misled mixed up muddled nonplussed not with it out to lunch perplexed perturbed punch-drunk punchy puzzled screwy shook-up shot to pieces slaphappy spaced out stumped thrown thrown off balance turbid unglued unscrewed unzipped
ADJECTIVE
stunned
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amazed astonished bewildered confused dismayed floored overwhelmed shocked speechless startled surprised
STRONG
astounded confounded dumbfounded flabbergasted frozen numb overcome stumped stupefied
WEAK
aghast blown-away bowled over breathless
Antonyms
STRONGEST
clear oriented understanding
ADJECTIVE
stupefied
Synonyms
STRONG
amazed astonished astounded bewildered confounded confused dismayed dumbfounded flabbergasted floored frozen numb overcome overwhelmed puzzled shocked startled stumped stunned surprised
WEAK
blown-away bowled over breathless speechless
Antonyms
STRONG
aware clear oriented understanding unsurprised
ADJECTIVE
surprised
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amazed startled
Antonyms
WEAK
aware calm poised unsurprised

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.

Smart said she was a little taken aback when she first learned how things would pan out for aging comic Deborah Vance and her mentee Ava Daniels, played by Hannah Einbinder.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

Logan says he was taken aback by the offer and promptly alerted his former employers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

The man was clearly taken aback, some of the other patrons chuckling in surprise, the Dodger pulse of this town clearly resonating in a completely unusual fashion.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 22, 2026

When county clerk Brianna Lennon got an email in November saying a newly expanded federal system had flagged 74 people on the county’s voter roll as potential noncitizens, she was taken aback.

From Salon • Feb. 27, 2026

“What do you mean? I know he does love you,” said Horatio, taken aback.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein