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

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

An energy security tool Yet, while the Iran crisis is broadly expected to expedite the energy transition in the medium- and long-run, some warned that the shift away from fossil fuels could suffer a setback in the near-term. —Sam Meredith, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026

Verb

And while its capacity to build nuclear weapons is set back, it is not eliminated. —Justin Fishel, ABC News, 22 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

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