taken 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.
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
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
Even those closest to Woltemade were taken aback by the devastating manner in which he dispatched a penalty against Nottingham Forest in a 2-0 victory back in October.
From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026
Karp was taken aback but told Barshay he wanted to do what was in the best interest of the firm.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026
I sat in these meetings, engrossed and somewhat taken aback by the fact that I knew so little about military life.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
