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

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

Assuming the site plan gets the approval of the city’s zoning commission and City Council, the developers will have to submit a final plan offering exact details of water lines, elevations and building setbacks. —Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Oct. 2025

The dispute is the second major legal setback in a week for DHS efforts to link emergency funding to immigration enforcement. —Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025

Verb

The change seems to set back even further Stockdale’s original vision to introduce new jobs, boost attractions and break open a fortress-like property that has divided downtown communities. —Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025

This will be the second time that the Puerto Rican megastar has graced the Super Bowl halftime show stage, having been a guest performer during Shakira and Jennifer Lopez’s set back in 2020. —Dan Rys, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2025

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