Looking for synonyms for taken aback? We’ve got you covered!
Here’s a list of other ways to say taken aback.
- Surprised
- Shocked
- Astonished
- Stunned
- Amazed
- Startled
- Flabbergasted
- Dumbfounded
- Baffled
- Bewildered
- Flummoxed
- Stupefied
- Nonplussed
- Disconcerted
- Aghast
- Perplexed
- Confounded
- Discombobulated
- Thunderstruck
- Astounded
Want to learn how to say taken aback professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.
1. Surprised
Appropriate Use: Suitable for expressing a feeling of mild astonishment or shock.
Example: The team was surprised by the sudden change in the project’s direction.
2. Shocked
Appropriate Use: Ideal for a strong reaction to something startling or upsetting.
Example: Employees were shocked to hear about the company’s impending merger.
3. Astonished
Appropriate Use: Used for expressing great surprise or amazement.
Example: The board was astonished at the quarterly profits exceeding all projections.
4. Stunned
Appropriate Use: Appropriate for being extremely surprised or shocked.
Example: She was stunned to receive the Employee of the Year award.
5. Amazed
Appropriate Use: Suitable for a reaction to something that causes great surprise or wonder.
Example: The CEO was amazed by the team’s innovative solution to the problem.
6. Startled
Appropriate Use: Ideal for reacting to something suddenly and unexpectedly.
Example: The manager was startled by the abrupt resignation of his assistant.
7. Flabbergasted
Appropriate Use: Used for being extremely surprised; astonished.
Example: The sales team was flabbergasted by the unexpected success of the new product.
8. Dumbfounded
Appropriate Use: Appropriate for being so shocked or surprised that one cannot speak.
Example: The announcement left the employees dumbfounded.
9. Baffled
Appropriate Use: Suitable for feeling utterly bewildered or perplexed.
Example: The sudden drop in sales left the marketing team baffled.
10. Bewildered
Appropriate Use: Ideal for being confused or puzzled.
Example: The new regulations left many employees bewildered.
11. Flummoxed
Appropriate Use: Used for being bewildered or perplexed.
Example: The unexpected problem in the software left the developers flummoxed.
12. Stupefied
Appropriate Use: Appropriate for being astonished and shocked.
Example: The team was stupefied by the complexity of the project.
13. Nonplussed
Appropriate Use: Suitable for being so surprised and confused that one is unsure how to react.
Example: The unexpected criticism from the client left her nonplussed.
14. Disconcerted
Appropriate Use: Ideal for being unsettled or confused.
Example: The new policy changes left some staff disconcerted.
15. Aghast
Appropriate Use: Used for being filled with horror or shock.
Example: The employees were aghast at the news of the layoffs.
16. Perplexed
Appropriate Use: Appropriate for being puzzled or confused.
Example: The sudden shift in market trends left the analysts perplexed.
17. Confounded
Appropriate Use: Suitable for being confused and surprised.
Example: He was confounded by the unexpected feedback from his supervisor.
18. Discombobulated
Appropriate Use: Ideal for being disconcerted or confused.
Example: The abrupt schedule changes left the team discombobulated.
19. Thunderstruck
Appropriate Use: Used for being extremely astonished or shocked.
Example: The staff was thunderstruck by the CEO’s abrupt departure.
20. Astounded
Appropriate Use: Appropriate for being extremely surprised or shocked.
Example: The success of the new initiative astounded the entire organization.
