as in reversal
a change in status for the worse usually temporarily
The explorers persevered despite suffering setbacks that would have discouraged lesser souls.
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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
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 23 May 2026
Friday’s test flight is SpaceX’s first for Starship in seven months, following a string of explosions and other setbacks in early 2025 that disrupted air travel due to falling debris.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 22 May 2026
Eva Thomas, InStyle, 22 May 2026
This record was set back in 1962.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Noun
SpaceX used the time to complete construction and activation of a second launch pad at Starbase as engineers steered Starship V3 through ground testing, which had its own share of setbacks.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 23 May 2026
Friday’s test flight is SpaceX’s first for Starship in seven months, following a string of explosions and other setbacks in early 2025 that disrupted air travel due to falling debris.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 22 May 2026
Verb
Celebrity vacation looks are a great source of inspiration, however, the looks the stars are wearing to jet-set back home are equally as noteworthy.
—Eva Thomas, InStyle, 22 May 2026
This record was set back in 1962.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback
Noun
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The flow reversal Earth’s magnetic field is generated by the movement of electrically conducting molten iron inside the liquid outer core.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
25 May 2026
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For decades, scientists debated whether these characteristics were primitive leftovers or later evolutionary reversals and this new research leans toward the first explanation.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
Verb
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Smaller drones are also holding back Russian troops along the 1,250-kilometer (780-mile) front line and disrupting the supply lines of Russia’s invading army, Western analysts and officials say.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
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Smaller drones are also holding back Russian troops along the 780-mile front line and disrupting the supply lines of Russia’s invading army, Western analysts and officials say.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2026
Noun
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When the officer stepped out of his vehicle, Blessing put the Tahoe in reverse and slammed into the police cruiser, according to Simi Valley Police Sgt.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
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The problem just works in reverse.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
27 May 2026
Verb
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The right idea needs more than charm to hold up.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
26 May 2026
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That said, the thesis has held up in NCAA men’s ice hockey, another sport that is expanding its footprint (see Arizona State) and garnering the attention of big college programs (see Penn State), all while the talent level increases dramatically.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Rainy weather has delayed the Class 2A baseball state championship series from Saturday to Monday.—
Todd Holcomb,
AJC.com,
24 May 2026
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Choquette was cruising until that point, having retired 15 straight batters after walking junior Hailey Goode on four pitches to open the game, which was delayed nearly an hour due to lightning in the area.—
Gary Curreri,
Sun Sentinel,
23 May 2026
Verb
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Fiber slows the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, while LAB can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce glucose absorption.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
28 May 2026
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If enacted without being offset by other tax cuts or new spending, such measures could slow the debt-to-GDP climb and would likely benefit Treasuries.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 May 2026
Verb
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France has asked for its public prosecutor to investigate the treatment of French nationals who were detained by Israel after taking part in a flotilla headed for Gaza, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said today.—
Jay Ganglani,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
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Deluzio also said he was forbidden from speaking with Randy Cordova Flores, a Peruvian father who was arrested in January and is being detained at the facility.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
29 May 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 30 May. 2026.
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