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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.

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

Perkins said she had been taken aback by how expensive treatment can be and said she sympathised with those without insurance.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

“She was completely taken aback by it. She was like, ‘Wow, this is how it really is.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

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

Taran was so taken aback that he began to stammer.

From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander




Vocabulary lists containing aback


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