taken aback

Meaning

Adj

1. (figuratively) Surprised, shocked.
2. Said of a ship, when the wind, suddenly changing, forces the sails aft against the mast.

Verb

past participle of take aback

take aback

1. (idiomatic, transitive) To surprise or shock; to discomfit.
2. (passive, usually) Of a ship: to catch it with the sails aback suddenly.

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Synonyms

astonished

😲

surprised

dumbfounded

startled

stunned

floored

confused

😕

aghast

stupefied

fatigued

upset

dazed

nonplussed

perplexed

puzzled

recoil

recoiled

shy

timid

unprepared

vanquished

without

off balance

stupified

be blown away

become flustered

amazed

astounded

at a loss

bedridden

bemused

bewildered

defeated

disconcerted

flinch

jiggered

lacking

Translations

onthutst

ontdaan

verslagen

surpris

verbluft

verstomd

stupéfait

estuporada

überrascht

bestürtzt

gewundert

erstaunt

basses Erstaunen

έκπληκτος

verwundert

Etymology

From taken + aback, first attested in 1840.