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

The most bitter setback came when the state largely just stood down, in 2020 and since, after the Madigan transgressions created a mandate for transformative change. — David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Any peace process will face inevitable setbacks and sabotage attempts, and so the parties must be committed to talks to get them over the line. — Matt Waldman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026

Verb

There are more steps than most buyers anticipate, and the wrong move at the wrong time can set back your closing or cost you the loan. — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2026

But after kids return to school, the summer out-of-office messages turn off, and the realities of daily life set back in after Labor Day, beach towns take on an entirely different look and feel. — Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 9 Aug. 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
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback

Kids Definition

setback

noun

set·​back ˈset-ˌbak 

: a slowing of progress : a temporary defeat