take aback

The phrase “take aback” has 3 syllables: take a-back

It's pronounced as /ˌteɪk əˈbæk/


What is synonym and antonym for take aback?

In the thesaurus, “take aback” has 147 synonyms and 41 antonyms.

Here are synonyms and antonyms for take aback along with examples of usage in sentences.


Synonyms for take aback

  • abash
  • affright
  • agitate
  • alarm
  • amaze
  • annoy
  • astonish
  • astound
  • awe
  • baffle
  • balk
  • beat
  • befuddle
  • bewilder
  • blindside
  • blow away
  • boggle
  • bolt
  • bother
  • bowl over
  • buffalo
  • bug
  • cause wonder
  • checkmate
  • chill
  • confound
  • confuse
  • consternate
  • daunt
  • daze
  • dazzle
  • demoralize
  • devastate
  • disarrange
  • discombobulate
  • discomfit
  • discompose
  • disconcert
  • discountenance
  • discourage
  • dishearten
  • disillusion
  • dismay
  • dispirit
  • disquiet
  • distress
  • disturb
  • dumbfound
  • dumfound
  • electrify
  • embarrass
  • faze
  • flabbergast
  • floor
  • flummox
  • flurry
  • fluster
  • foil
  • foul up
  • fright
  • frighten
  • frustrate
  • get
  • get to
  • give a shock
  • give a turn
  • hinder
  • horrify
  • irk
  • jar
  • jolt
  • jump
  • knock for a loop
  • knock over
  • knock over with feather
  • leave aghast
  • leave open-mouthed
  • louse up
  • make jump
  • mess up
  • muck up
  • muddle
  • mystify
  • nonplus
  • outwit
  • overcome
  • overpower
  • overwhelm
  • paralyze
  • perplex
  • perturb
  • petrify
  • prevent
  • psych out
  • put off
  • put one away
  • puzzle
  • rattle
  • rock
  • ruffle
  • scare
  • scare to death
  • screw up
  • shake
  • shake up
  • shatter
  • shock
  • snafu
  • spook
  • spring
  • spring on
  • spring something on
  • stagger
  • start
  • startle
  • stick
  • strike dumb
  • strike with awe
  • stump
  • stun
  • stupefy
  • stymie
  • surprise
  • take breath away
  • take by surprise
  • terrify
  • terrorize
  • throw
  • throw a curve
  • throw into a tizzy
  • throw into tizzy
  • throw off balance
  • thunderstrike
  • thwart
  • trouble
  • trump
  • unbalance
  • underwhelm
  • undo
  • unhinge
  • unnerve
  • unsettle
  • upset
  • upset the apple cart
  • vex
  • worry
  • worst

Antonyms for take aback

  • abet
  • aid
  • appease
  • approve
  • assist
  • assure
  • bore
  • calm
  • clarify
  • clear up
  • comfort
  • compose
  • delight
  • dull
  • educate
  • embolden
  • encourage
  • enlighten
  • expect
  • explain
  • explicate
  • give in
  • gladden
  • hearten
  • help
  • incite
  • inspirit
  • lay out
  • lose
  • make happy
  • order
  • permit
  • placate
  • please
  • quiet
  • reassure
  • settle
  • soothe
  • support
  • surrender
  • yield

Example Sentences

  • The unexpected news take aback everyone in the room.
  • His bold proposal take aback his colleagues, but they admired his initiative.
  • She was take aback by the honesty of his confession.
  • The sudden change in weather take aback the hikers who were unprepared for the storm.
  • The teacher's sharp criticism take aback the usually confident student.

On this page you'll find 188 synonyms, antonyms, or another words to take aback, such as: abash, abet, affright, agitate, aid, alarm, amaze.

Make sure to choose synonyms and antonyms that are appropriate for the context of the sentence.

Related Words

take by surprise

  • amaze
  • ambush
  • astonish
  • astound
  • beat
  • befall
  • befuddle
  • better
  • bewilder
  • blindside
  • blow away
  • bowl over
  • burst in on
  • bushwhack
  • capture
  • catch in the act
  • catch off-balance
  • catch off-guard
  • catch red-handed
  • catch unawares
  • catch up with
  • come down on
  • come upon
  • confound
  • confuse
  • daze
  • discomfit
  • disconcert
  • discover
  • dismay
  • drop in on
  • dumbfound
  • dumfound
  • engulf
  • flabbergast
  • floor
  • gain on
  • get past
  • get to
  • grab
  • grasp
  • happen
  • hit
  • jar
  • knock for a loop
  • lay for
  • leave behind
  • lie in wait
  • muddle
  • nab
  • nonplus
  • outdistance
  • outdo
  • outstrip
  • overhaul
  • overwhelm
  • perplex
  • reach
  • rock
  • seize
  • shake up
  • shock
  • spring on
  • startle
  • strike
  • stun
  • stupefy
  • surprise
  • take
  • take aback
  • thunderstrike
  • waylay

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