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

Despite the legal setback, all of the countersuits against the Gossip Girl actress have now been dismissed, after Wallace's was thrown out of court for jurisdictional reasons this week. —Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025

The City of Pasadena’s attempt to legally compel UCLA to play home football games at the Rose Bowl for the next two decades suffered a setback on Wednesday, as a Los Angeles Superior Court judge denied Pasadena’s motion for a temporary restraining order. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Nov. 2025

Verb

Shortly after the raid, Hyundai CEO José Muñoz said the ICE raids set back the factory opening by two or three months. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 12 Nov. 2025

Jackie Wong, a senior vice president at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said the moves would set back American innovation and competitiveness. —Lauren Sommer, NPR, 10 Nov. 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