Word: aback
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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Though the situation in Sudan has been widely condemned by foreign governments and international human rights organizations, Leaning was taken aback by the extent of the crisis “despite months of warning.” She cited “the seriousness of the humanitarian crisis, especially in the Northeastern area of the Chad/Darfur border” as one of the most pressing concerns in the region...
...March 21, 1790, Thomas Jefferson belatedly arrived in New York City to assume his duties as the first Secretary of State after a five-year ministerial stint in Paris. Tall and lanky, with a freckled complexion and auburn hair, Jefferson, 46, was taken aback by the adulation being heaped upon the new Treasury Secretary, Alexander Hamilton, who had streaked to prominence in his absence. Few people knew that Jefferson had authored the Declaration of Independence, which had yet to become holy writ for Americans. Instead, the Virginian was eclipsed by the 35-year-old wunderkind from the Caribbean...
...hats and fanny packs around their waists. They had mustaches and hearty bellies. When I said hello, their accents told me they were from the Midwest. When I said, “Hello, I’m a reporter from The Washington Times” their smiles took me aback. It seemed like they were close to patting my back...
Summers, who appeared slightly taken aback by Palmer’s remarks, said, “This is quite unlike any other experience I’ve had since I came to the University...
...That’s news to me, actually,” says Mitchell, slightly taken aback. “I mean, this is just something for me to try out. I don’t have any plans beyond this semester...