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
Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
This will be the second time that the Puerto Rican megastar has graced the Super Bowl halftime show stage, having been a guest performer during Shakira and Jennifer Lopez’s set back in 2020.
—Dan Rys, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2025
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
Mentally strong kids know how to regulate their emotions, trust themselves, and rebound after setbacks.
—Reem Raouda, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set back
Noun
The change seems to set back even further Stockdale’s original vision to introduce new jobs, boost attractions and break open a fortress-like property that has divided downtown communities.
—Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
This will be the second time that the Puerto Rican megastar has graced the Super Bowl halftime show stage, having been a guest performer during Shakira and Jennifer Lopez’s set back in 2020.
—Dan Rys, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
Both teams experienced injury setbacks going into the matchup.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
Mentally strong kids know how to regulate their emotions, trust themselves, and rebound after setbacks.
—Reem Raouda, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for set back
Noun
-
Krenwinkel’s challenge to that reversal was denied by the Los Angeles County Superior Court in January 2024, and the ruling was later affirmed on appeal.—
Stepheny Price , Melissa Chrise,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Among the most visible reversals are in trucking and auto regulation.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This chasm exposes the fragmentation that’s holding back European innovation.—
Jan Hammer,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
-
There is zero selfishness to his game, no holding back to prevent injury.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Maybe this inspires you to craft your own Steak Nuggets at home with our reverse-sear method.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
6 Oct. 2025
-
At the same time, the drone activates its reverse thrust mode, pressing its feet firmly against the vehicle’s surface.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Gourds don’t hold up so well in all this Central Florida heat.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The food processor can hold up to eight cups of food or two pounds of dough in just 30 seconds.—
Christopher Murray
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In recent years, some Wyandotte residents have tried to get the government to delay or cancel its tax sales, which usually happen twice a year, to prevent people who have struggled to pay sky-rocketing property tax bills from losing their family homes.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
18 Oct. 2025
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The continued closure of the Rafah crossing is preventing delivery of equipment needed to find dead hostages and will therefore delay recovery efforts, Hamas said, according to Reuters.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Fed, however, is facing both problems at the same time — a rare and complicated problem for the bank to fight, especially with interest rates already at levels that could slow the economy.—
Sylvan Lane,
The Hill,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Mohd Rasfan | Afp | Getty Images Singapore’s economy expanded faster than expected in the third quarter, even as the country’s central bank warned that growth is likely to slow in 2026.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Armed agents with fully automatic weapons of war stand outside the ICE facility in South Waterfront, where the city recently accused the agency of violating its own land-use permit by detaining people overnight.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
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Michigan State Police announced the discovery at the time, and while Jalen and Charla were questioned and even briefly detained, no formal charges were ever filed against the two — until now.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 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 19 Oct. 2025.
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