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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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of set back
Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
Anisimova was able to get the set back to three games even with powerful shots that Sabalenka couldn’t reach.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
To make matters worse, those setbacks occurred within a two-month window.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set back
Noun
Locals love this under-the-radar town for its small, simple cluster of restaurants, shops, and hotels set back from one of the nicest beaches in the region.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
Anisimova was able to get the set back to three games even with powerful shots that Sabalenka couldn’t reach.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
But Greenlaw suffered a setback this week in his quad rehab.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
To make matters worse, those setbacks occurred within a two-month window.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for set back
Noun
-
The reversal follows a backlash in Hollywood and a mounting boycott campaign against Disney.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Agents do suggest carrying naloxone, an opioid reversal drug.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Reeve did not hold back postgame.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Local architect Stephen Phillips has met dozens of homeowners following the wildfires, but says finances are holding back many from hiring him.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This is basically that, but in reverse.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The bank expects the PBOC to cut the seven-day reverse repo rate and loan prime rate by 10-basis points in the fourth quarter, along with a a 50-basis-point reduction in the reserve requirement ratio, which sets out how much cash banks must hold in reserve.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The auditorium can hold up to 3,000 people, and nearly every seat was full.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Sep. 2025
-
On the other side of the coin, this pair’s tight herringbone knit holds up admirably under strong wind guests, sheds light precipitation with ease, and stays surprisingly warm.—
Alice Bennett,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Production began in early 2024 after being delayed by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strikes.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Trump has frequently used tariffs as part of foreign policy negotiations in his second term, but many of them were reduced or delayed.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Hiring has slowed to its lowest pace in a decade, excluding the pandemic dip.—
Charlotte Morabito,
CNBC,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Jones could slow down and struggle and Indianapolis could start losing.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Manhattan federal building where the incident took place, has been the scene of previous controversial arrests, as agents detained people entering or exiting immigration court or arriving for Immigration and Customs Enforcement check-ins.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
-
As one agent holds Shouhed down, the other is seen bringing out handcuffs before a third agent joins them in detaining Shouhed.—
Julia Marnin,
Sacbee.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
“Set back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20back. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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