setback

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noun set·back \ ˈset-ˌbak \

Definition of setback

1 :a checking of progress

2 :defeat, reverse

3 :⁴pitch 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

See setback defined for English-language learners

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Examples of setback in a Sentence

Despite some early setbacks, they eventually became a successful company.
the colonists persevered despite suffering setbacks that would have discouraged lesser souls

Recent Examples of setback from the Web

Kyler suffered a minor setback in the spring, breaking his left small toe in a mishap during a track practice.

— michael osipoff, Post-Tribune, "Experienced defender Kyler Tanis provides an anchor for revamped Highland," 28 Aug. 2017
Despite her political progress, Lee is no stranger to setbacks.

— dayna evans, The Cut, "Congresswoman Barbara Lee Knows What It Takes to Fight Power," 22 Aug. 2017
Yes, there will be dozens of setbacks along the way.

— alisyn camerota, Cosmopolitan, "Alisyn Camerota: 7 Things I Wish I Knew When I Was 29," 22 Aug. 2017
After his elbow injury this year and an oblique tear a year ago – and with setbacks during rehab asignments for both –

— zach buchanan, Cincinnati.com, "DeSclafani receives long-awaited second opinion, which is the same as the first," 22 Aug. 2017
In a setback for Anthony 'The Mooch' Scaramucci, the star of Season Two of our national reality show, his wife just filed for divorce.

— jack holmes, Esquire, "Well, This Week Ended Quietly," 28 July 2017
LONDON — AstraZeneca announced on Thursday that a cancer drug in development had not shown as much progress as expected, a setback for the pharmaceutical company, which is grappling with weak sales and competition from manufacturers of generics.

— prashant s. rao and amie tsang, New York Times, "AstraZeneca’s Cancer Drug Trial Disappoints, Sending Shares Lower," 27 July 2017
After a freshman All-SEC campaign last season, Mustapha Heron is looking to improve before the upcoming season after an initial setback from an injury earlier this offseason.

— james crepea, AL.com, "After spring stress fracture, Auburn's Mustapha Heron aims to end offseason strong," 27 July 2017
This marks yet another setback for the trans community, following Trump's decision in February to reverse an Obama administration policy that allowed transgender students to use the bathroom of their choice.

— chanel vargas, Harper's BAZAAR, "10 Ways You Can Help the Transgender Community Today," 26 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'setback.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of setback

1674

setback Synonyms

Synonyms

knock, lapse, reversal, reverse

Related Words

disappointment, frustration, letdown; comedown, decline, descent, down, downfall, fall; turnabout, turnaround; recession, regression, retrogression, reversion; relapse; breakdown, collapse, crash, meltdown, ruin, undoing

Near Antonyms

status quo

set back

verb

Definition of set back

transitive verb

1 :to slow the progress of :hinder, delay

2 :cost

a new suit will set you back $200

First Known Use of set back

1600

SETBACK Defined for English Language Learners

setback

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noun

Definition of setback for English Language Learners

: a problem that makes progress more difficult or success less likely

SETBACK Defined for Kids

setback

play

noun set·back \ ˈset-ˌbak \

Definition of setback for Students

:a slowing of progress :a temporary defeat

Despite several setbacks we finished on schedule.

Learn More about setback

See words that rhyme with setback Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for setback Spanish Central: Translation of setback Nglish: Translation of setback for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of setback for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about setback

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Examples of setback in a Sentence

Recent Examples of setback from the Web

First Known Use of setback

setback Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

set back

Definition of set back

First Known Use of set back

SETBACK Defined for English Language Learners

setback

Definition of setback for English Language Learners

SETBACK Defined for Kids

setback

Definition of setback for Students

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