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

This was Liverpool in urgent need of a lift after a series of setbacks and a manager looking elsewhere for solutions rather than backing the club’s long-serving match-winner to deliver. —James Pearce, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025

Barring any setbacks he should be fully recovered in time for spring training and will be a strong candidate to start the season in the WooSox rotation. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025

Verb

Daylight Saving Time ends on the first Sunday of November, when clocks are set back one hour. —Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Oct. 2025

Clocks will be set back one hour, making sunrise and sunset each an hour earlier. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 17 Oct. 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