1 C1 idiomatic formal
To surprise or disconcert someone (now archaic; the standard form is 'taken aback').
"He was set aback by the ferocity of her response to his simple question."
separable
set aback
C1 formal separable transitive
To surprise or disconcert someone; now rare and largely replaced by 'taken aback'.
In plain English
To shock or surprise someone so much that they are momentarily confused or don't know what to do.
What does "set aback" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To push something backward — evoking the physical sensation of stepping back in surprise.
Actually means
To shock or surprise someone so much that they are momentarily confused or don't know what to do.
Usage tip
Extremely rare as an active phrasal verb. The standard modern form is the passive/adjectival 'taken aback'. Learners are advised to use 'taken aback' instead.
Words that pair with "set aback"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
news response announcement reaction statement
How to conjugate "set aback"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
set aback
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sets aback
he/she/it
Past simple
set aback
yesterday
Past participle
set aback
have + pp
-ing form
setting aback
continuous
Hear "set aback" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "set aback" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "set aback"
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