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
Camila Domonoske, NPR, 31 Oct. 2025
The studio has had a storm of recent headlines as new owner David Ellison and his top executives made dramatic moves and endured setbacks.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 31 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for setback
Noun
Of course, that same policy change is a setback for all-electric automakers like Tesla and Rivian.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 31 Oct. 2025
The studio has had a storm of recent headlines as new owner David Ellison and his top executives made dramatic moves and endured setbacks.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
See All Example Sentences for setback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback
Noun
-
Against it stands any interest in deploying them for the use-value of reversal.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The gains mark a reversal from the prior day’s dip as big technology stocks once again lead the broader market.—
Fortune,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Honest conversations are also unavoidable, especially for those of you who have been holding back your true feelings.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Firms that had stayed disciplined during the post-pandemic liquidity rush — holding back from inflated valuations and cheap leverage — are the ones outperforming, according to Bae.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The packages resemble the same sorts of arrangements used by criminal organizations to smuggle migrants to the United States, only in reverse.—
Daniel Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Notably, these engravings would need to be made in reverse of how the markings would look when it was used.—
Serdar Yalçin,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But the program has been held up by the federal government shutdown.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The photos show the couple's two older kids — son Charlie, 2, and daughter Grace, 5 — holding up balloon numbers of 1 and 2, while Abbie is pictured holding a series of sonogram images and the balloon number 3.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
A day earlier, flights were delayed at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, New Jersey’s Newark airport and Washington’s Reagan National Airport because of air traffic controller shortages.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
-
His discharge has been delayed due to his father’s detention.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Flights have been delayed for up to six and a half hours in some areas, with the FAA forced to slow air traffic at numerous major airports due to safety concerns, Reuters reported.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The days of listing high and getting multiple offers in a weekend have slowed down.—
Cecelia Cawthon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
On October 25, the 58-year-old received a call from neighbors that his mother-in-law had been detained by Israeli soldiers while picking olives in the village of Nahalin in Bethlehem.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Keller police did not immediately publicly release the arrest warrant affidavit or describe the basis for intending to detain or arrest Johnson.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 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
“Setback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setback. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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