Explain and Take aback

Opposite meaning terms

Explain verb - To make plain or understandable.

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Take aback is an antonym for explain.

Take aback verb - Surprise greatly; knock someone's socks off.

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Cite this Source

Take aback and Explain. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain/take_aback

Explain & Take aback. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain/take_aback>.

Take aback or Explain. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/explain/take_aback.

Google Ngram Viewer shows how "explain" and "take aback" have occurred on timeline