as in reversal
a change in status for the worse usually temporarily
The explorers persevered despite suffering setbacks that would have discouraged lesser souls.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to hold back
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of setback
Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Dillon is here to compete for a short-yardage role and serve as insurance in case Brooks suffers a setback in camp.
—Mike Kaye
march 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Joshua Hammer, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
Iran's attack on Qatar has set back the country's ability to resume gas production after the war ends.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Noun
And in today's economic environment, where household debt is at record highs and unpaid debts are trending upward, even a temporary setback can quickly become a major financial issue.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Dillon is here to compete for a short-yardage role and serve as insurance in case Brooks suffers a setback in camp.
—Mike Kaye
march 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
The Great Kanto Earthquake and the ensuing conflagration killed 140,000 people, traumatized the country, and set back Japanese industrial production for years.
—Joshua Hammer, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
Iran's attack on Qatar has set back the country's ability to resume gas production after the war ends.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback
Noun
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The sudden reversal of fortunes comes as Jansa has been battling accusations of hiring an Israeli private intelligence company to sway the result following a series of video recordings reporting corruption among the prime minister's allies.—
Jan Bratanic Bloomberg,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
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Unlike states that never allowed changes to gender markers, Kansas’ move is a striking reversal of its prior permissive policy.—
Darren Rosenblum,
Mercury News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The airline’s efforts to revive services have been held back by the closure of Qatar’s airspace, alongside the company’s heavier dependence on long-haul corridors that remain constrained.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
25 Mar. 2026
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It can only be imparted by the example of a wise craftsman in the midst of practicing their craft—knowing exactly how much pressure to apply at what moment, knowing when to press forward and when to hold back.—
David Brooks,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Plus, its 8000mAh battery not only lasts all day but also supports reverse charging.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
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Any direction counted, including reverse.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The resultant device blends fast discharge speeds with massive storage capacity, holding up to 25 times more energy per kilogram than conventional versions.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Mar. 2026
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Though the legislation is held up in the Senate, House members continued to point fingers across the aisle.—
Arden Farhi,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Two weeks ago, flights in the DC metro region were delayed due to a strong chemical odor at the Potomac TRACON.—
CBS Baltimore Staff,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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The incident triggered ground stops, with flights delayed or held for extended periods.—
De'Anthony Taylor,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The result, investigators say, is a multi-jurisdictional maze—one that complicates oversight and slows accountability.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
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Growth slowed in a majority of the nation’s counties between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, the Census said.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Police detain Nerdeen Kiswani during a protest on April 12, 2024, in New York.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The Department of Homeland Security detained Avila without bond and began deportation proceedings.—
AUDREY McAVOY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As engine revs increase, centrifugal force alters the valve timing by a few degrees, either advancing or retarding it.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 17,
New Atlas,
17 June 2025
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Genesis Yes, the thing retarding recruitment below pre-2022 levels may be, at least in part, a military-wide health-records update that, much like MyChart in the civilian health-care world, tracks the medications of all service members.—
Luther Ray Abel,
National Review,
9 Feb. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Setback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setback. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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