aback
adverb
ə-ˈbak 
1
archaic : backward, back
2
: in a position to catch the wind upon the forward surface (as of a sail)
3
: by surprise : unawares
was taken aback by her sharp retort
Synonyms
- suddenly
- unanticipatedly
- unaware
- unawares
- unexpectedly
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
completely taken aback by the neighbors' announcement that they were moving
Recent Examples on the Web The Vatican had been taken aback by the public response. 
Peggy Noonan, WSJ, 15 Sep. 2022 He was taken aback by comments at the meeting by Council President William Godwin, D-1st, who characterized Carter as an outsider trying to tell city officials what do. Carrie Napoleon, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2022 In the opposing camp, Jeff Bezos was taken aback by Anya’s tweet. Alexander Onukwue, Quartz, 9 Sep. 2022 There, she was taken aback by the ultra-competitive atmosphere. Katherine Yeske Taylor, SPIN, 30 Aug. 2022 Seemingly taken aback by the big play, the Shamrocks seemed to be playing from behind much of the night and couldn’t find a rhythm offensively. Evan Merrill, The Enquirer, 27 Aug. 2022 Seemingly taken aback by the big play, the Shamrocks seemed to be playing from behind much of the night and couldn’t find a rhythm offensively. Jake Adams, The Courier-Journal, 27 Aug. 2022 Some travelers new to cruising may be taken aback by how gratuities can add up. Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 25 Aug. 2022 Fallah added that they were taken aback by the public reaction to the film’s shelving, and in particular the hashtag #ReleaseBatgirl trending on social media. Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Aug. 2022 See More
Peggy Noonan, WSJ, 15 Sep. 2022 He was taken aback by comments at the meeting by Council President William Godwin, D-1st, who characterized Carter as an outsider trying to tell city officials what do. Carrie Napoleon, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2022 In the opposing camp, Jeff Bezos was taken aback by Anya’s tweet. Alexander Onukwue, Quartz, 9 Sep. 2022 There, she was taken aback by the ultra-competitive atmosphere. Katherine Yeske Taylor, SPIN, 30 Aug. 2022 Seemingly taken aback by the big play, the Shamrocks seemed to be playing from behind much of the night and couldn’t find a rhythm offensively. Evan Merrill, The Enquirer, 27 Aug. 2022 Seemingly taken aback by the big play, the Shamrocks seemed to be playing from behind much of the night and couldn’t find a rhythm offensively. Jake Adams, The Courier-Journal, 27 Aug. 2022 Some travelers new to cruising may be taken aback by how gratuities can add up. Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 25 Aug. 2022 Fallah added that they were taken aback by the public reaction to the film’s shelving, and in particular the hashtag #ReleaseBatgirl trending on social media. Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing aback
Kids Definition
aback
adverb
ə-ˈbak
: by surprise
He was taken aback by the change in plan.
aback
adverb
as in suddenly
without warning completely taken aback by the neighbors' announcement that they were moving Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- suddenly
- unexpectedly
- unawares
- unaware
- abruptly
- off base
- short
- all of a sudden
- surprisingly
- unanticipatedly
- astoundingly
- amazingly
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- slowly
- tardily
- sluggishly
- leisurely
- obviously
- laggardly
- pokily
Phrases Containing aback
- give someone a break
- give someone a buzz
- give someone a call
- give someone a drubbing
- give someone a hard time
- give someone a leg up
- give someone a nod
- give someone a piece of one's mind
- give someone a ring
- give someone a roasting
- give someone a rollicking
- give someone a run for her money
- give someone a run for his money
- give someone a run for their money
- give someone a run for your money
- give someone a shout
- give someone a spanking
- give someone a tinkle
- give someone a wink
- give someone a yell
- give someone an eyeful
- give someone gyp
- give someone hell
- give someone holy hell
- give someone ideas