aback

adverb

ə-ˈbak How to pronounce aback (audio)
Definition of abacknext
as in suddenly
without warning completely taken aback by the neighbors' announcement that they were moving

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of aback Rather than getting tied to the likes of a large heavy-duty Mercedes Zetros or MAN TGS cab, the new Bliss 8 is designed to ride aback smaller, nimbler 4x4 chassis like the Toyota Land Cruiser or Ford F-Series. — New Atlas, 14 Nov. 2025 Not all of them will necessarily fall under the legislation, and any can challenge their inclusion, but the breadth of platforms Inman Grant was considering took some Australians aback and confused others. — Belinda Luscombe, Time, 8 Oct. 2025 Related Stories Saarinen has been voicing similar concerns for years – but the latest development still took him aback. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 18 Sep. 2025 Rodgers took some players aback by his just-one-of-the-guys approach. — Mike Jones, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aback
  1. suddenly
  2. unexpectedly
Adverb
  • Projects that communities had originally welcomed were suddenly met with fierce opposition, and companies had to improve.
    — Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • A lot of Asian American people have this experience of reading in lit courses about predominantly white authors and characters and suddenly there’s Lee, who is remarkably legible as someone inside of his social milieu yet almost a unicorn.
    — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of suddenly
Adverb
  • The latest incidents, which follow a slew of reports of agents unexpectedly breaking out of sandboxes, showcased how even the safeguards built to corral AI systems are vulnerable to the technology.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Corlette said to make sure any arrangement is formally agreed upon in advance so the account isn't unexpectedly turned over to collections.
    — Stephanie O'Neill, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of unexpectedly

Phrases Containing aback

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aahs
aback
abaft
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Cite this Entry

“Aback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aback. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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