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

Relevance

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
  • The Bengals can now wait to see more of Stewart’s progress in his rehab and see if a roster spot is suddenly needed to make another move.
    — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • But once the probability passes a threshold called the critical probability, the lattice suddenly opens up.
    — Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of suddenly
Adverb
  • Which brings us to the flashbacks, which this week — unexpectedly, thrillingly — end with the moment when Per Stensen’s silo project abruptly went live.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The last night was when Belafonte unexpectedly found himself on stage with his left leg elevated.
    — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of unexpectedly

Phrases Containing aback

Browse Nearby Words

aahs
aback
abaft
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aback. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All