as in reversal
a change in status for the worse usually temporarily
The explorers persevered despite suffering setbacks that would have discouraged lesser souls.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to hold back
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of setback
Preston Fore, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
The five-star freshman had committed to USC with every intention of bolting for the NBA after one season, only for the setbacks of the past year to put his likely lottery status in doubt.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
There are mountains in our country, but these were set back from the coast and had openings through them.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Noun
Like most careers, theirs were shaped as much by setbacks and detours as by ambition.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
The five-star freshman had committed to USC with every intention of bolting for the NBA after one season, only for the setbacks of the past year to put his likely lottery status in doubt.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
Terra-cotta tiles lined the home’s roof perimeter, the house set back from the street, separated by native vegetation and a thin concrete walking path to her front door.
—Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
There are mountains in our country, but these were set back from the coast and had openings through them.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback
Noun
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Progressives also have endorsed the reversal of qualified immunity protections, which shield agents from misconduct lawsuits.—
Ana Ceballos,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
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Staying quiet on a key economic issue like immigration represents a reversal in the public relations strategies of a once vocal group of corporate giants.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This take is so dumb that it was held back in the second grade three times.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
21 Jan. 2026
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Prince Harry struggled to hold back tears during his nearly two-hour testimony at a London court on Wednesday, as part of the lawsuit against Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Bicentennial Wagon Train Pilgrimage was organized to have wagon trains travel in reverse from west to east along historic trails such as the Oregon Trail, the Appalachian Trail, and the Santa Fe Trail, with everyone arriving in Valley Forge on July 4, 1976.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
21 Jan. 2026
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Shahed is a low-cost drone that has already been reverse-engineered by the US.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The White House has expressed openness to a compromise with the Democrats, who are holding up a government funding bill over the shooting.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Jan. 2026
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Videos posted on social media show protesters chanting inside the hotel and holding up signs, while refusing to leave the lobby.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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More flights are likely to get delayed or canceled as the storm progresses.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
25 Jan. 2026
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The Supreme Court's upcoming ruling on tariffs could be delayed until their next session on February 20, unless a rare special session is called.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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All of this means fewer issues during the building process to slow down completion, Peinemann said.—
Heather McRea,
Oc Register,
23 Jan. 2026
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Investigators say the video was slowed down to show Graham was armed during the encounter.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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So the story is that ice detained a five-year-old.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
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And two weeks ago, a 10-year-old student and her mother were detained while on their way to class.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As engine revs increase, centrifugal force alters the valve timing by a few degrees, either advancing or retarding it.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 17,
New Atlas,
17 June 2025
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Genesis Yes, the thing retarding recruitment below pre-2022 levels may be, at least in part, a military-wide health-records update that, much like MyChart in the civilian health-care world, tracks the medications of all service members.—
Luther Ray Abel,
National Review,
9 Feb. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Setback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setback. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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