setback

1 of 2

noun

set·​back ˈset-ˌbak 

1

: a checking of progress

2

: defeat, reverse

3

: pitch entry 4 sense 7

4

: a placing of a face of a building on a line some distance to the rear of the building line or of the wall below

also : the area produced by a setback

5

: automatic scheduled adjustment to a lower temperature setting of a thermostat

6

: the distance of a structure or other feature (such as a well or septic system) from the property line or other feature

set back

2 of 2

verb

set back; setting back; sets back

transitive verb

1

: to slow the progress of : hinder, delay

2

: cost

a new suit will set you back $200

Synonyms of setback

Noun

• reversal
• reverse

Examples of setback in a Sentence

Noun

Despite some early setbacks, they eventually became a successful company.

The explorers persevered despite suffering setbacks that would have discouraged those with lesser ambition.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But that effort just faced a significant setback. —Chase Jordan april 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2026

Democrats more broadly have pointed to signs of organizational momentum in Florida, including efforts to rebuild voter registration infrastructure and expand outreach after years of electoral setbacks. —Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2026

Verb

His wife, Missy Plummer, expects to hear a constant hum, even though Google has said the data center buildings will be set back far enough from the property’s border to shield from industrial noise. —Bracey Harris, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026

Some elements of a bill that passed the Senate this month would help at the margins, but others would set back the cause of bringing down prices. —Editorial Board, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1674, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for setback

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback

Kids Definition

setback

noun

set·​back ˈset-ˌbak 

: a slowing of progress : a temporary defeat