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

Premeditate Challenges, But Don’t Fear Them Stoics practiced premeditatio malorum, mentally rehearsing potential setbacks so they aren’t caught off guard. —Andrew Rosen, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

North Korea’s economy suffered major setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic. —CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026

Verb

Its largest crew, a whopping 13 astronauts, was set back in 2009. —Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 15 Jan. 2026

And large data centers must follow certain rules about noise, odor, light, vibration, traffic and other elements while being set back and screened from residential areas, among other changes. —Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 15 Jan. 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