aback
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.
Europeans constantly seem taken aback at how seriously Americans take themselves.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 2, 2026
"She was a bit taken aback and said, 'Darling, nuns can't wear pretty clothes'. So I said, 'Well, I'll be an actress then.'"
From BBC • Jun. 29, 2026
Rocha says she was taken aback by Samuel’s professionalism.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2026
The scourge of the royals recently has been Andrew Lownie, author of the book that revealed so much Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and he was taken aback by a "brilliant speech".
From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026
It was Mrs. Richardson’s turn to be taken aback.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
Vocabulary lists containing aback
The Diary of Anne Frank
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Just Mercy
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
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