Antonyms for taken aback


Grammar : Adj
Spell : uh-bak
Phonetic Transcription : əˈbæk


Definition of taken aback

Origin :
  • c.1200, from Old English on bæc "at or on the back;" see back (n.). Now surviving mainly in taken aback, originally a nautical expression in reference to a vessel's square sails when a sudden change of wind flattens them back against the masts and stops the forward motion of the ship (1754). The figurative sense is first recorded 1840.
  • As in abashed : adj exhibiting mental discomfort, ill at ease
  • As in stunned : adj dazed
  • As in stupefied : adj dazed
  • As in bewildered : adj confused
  • As in surprised : adj taken by surprise
  • As in muddle-headed : adj confused
  • As in confused : adj disoriented mentally
  • As in disconcerted : adj confused; shaken
  • As in dumbfounded : adj astounded, confused
Example sentences :
  • Again she was taken aback to see so many sitting round the table.
  • Extract from : « In the Midst of Alarms » by Robert Barr
  • Granger, taken aback by the question, smiled slowly and shook his head.
  • Extract from : « Murder Point » by Coningsby Dawson
  • Captain Sam was so taken aback that he was almost speechless.
  • Extract from : « Shavings » by Joseph C. Lincoln
  • Asaph was taken aback, but he recovered promptly, as he had before.
  • Extract from : « Kent Knowles: Quahaug » by Joseph C. Lincoln
  • I had been taken aback so suddenly that I had lost steerage way.
  • Extract from : « The Rise of Roscoe Paine » by Joseph C. Lincoln
  • The Captain was taken aback by these three words, which Mr. Blood had stressed.
  • Extract from : « Captain Blood » by Rafael Sabatini
  • When he joined Reg in the room they shared, he was taken aback at what he saw.
  • Extract from : « Australia Revenged » by Boomerang
  • He was taken aback, and do what he could the Colonel's grave eyes discomposed him.
  • Extract from : « The Wild Geese » by Stanley John Weyman
  • The worthy man was taken aback with the energy with which I spoke.
  • Extract from : « The Memoires of Casanova, Complete » by Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
  • Perhaps she was still too taken aback to do anything about the matter.
  • Extract from : « The Crimson Tide » by Robert W. Chambers

Synonyms for taken aback

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019