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

Pepsi expects that its North American volumes will recover, but that will take time, particularly after this quarter's setback. — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 9 July 2026

Each game during the Sparks’ three-game slide was a blowout, including a 111-87 setback at Indiana late last month. — John W. Davis, Oc Register, 9 July 2026

Verb

The surge shattered a four-year-old record of 99,445 GWh set back in July 2022. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026

Plans set back by pad explosion During the spring and summer months this year, multiple sources told Ars that Bezos was involved in fundraising activities for Blue Origin. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 8 July 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
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback

Kids Definition

setback

noun

set·​back ˈset-ˌbak 

: a slowing of progress : a temporary defeat