SET BACK Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

setback 1 of 2

noun

ˈset-ˌbak

Definition of setback

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

status quo

set back

2 of 2

verb

as in to hold back

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of setback

Noun

Barring a setback in his final minor league rehab appearance, he could be activated in time for the playoffs. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026 For Guhle, this is yet another physical setback among many that have plagued the 24-year-old’s NHL career. — Arpon Basu, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Verb

The attacks badly damaged some of the country’s most sensitive sites and, experts say, set back Tehran’s ability to build a bomb by years. — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026 With its height, the project takes advantage of the river and its views, unlike many parts of the region, where homes and buildings are set back from levees, Koss said. — Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for setback

Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback

Noun

That would mark a steep reversal from the 50% growth the bank reported in its second quarter.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
The Saints could have folded after a second-quarter replay reversal took a touchdown off the board.

— Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of reversal

Verb

The 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer found that seven in 10 hold back from trusting anyone whose values, sources of information, background or approach to social problems differ from their own.

— Brian Peckrill, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Wong, meanwhile, born in Los Angeles’ Chinatown to Taishanese parents from China, had been steadily acting for years, but was held back from Dietrich’s level of success largely because of her race.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of hold back

Noun

That leaves room for a potential drop in price if momentum goes in reverse, but the fundamental outlook is set to keep prices elevated.

— John Towfighi, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026
The power changeup that has been percolating through baseball ever since Félix Hernández and Zack Greinke dominated with the pitch seems to have reverse-platoon splits, according to the model.

— Eno Sarris, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of reverse

Verb

Carried in on a throne held up by shirtless men, Bravo’s prodigal daughter takes the mic to speak to the crowd and reminisce on her ups and downs as an Atlanta Housewife.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
But those savings erode in a case like Cheshire, where workers completed a five-story, 70-unit building more than a year ago — but local building review has held up certificates of occupancy.

— Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of hold up

Verb

Peterson agreed without hesitation to stay on and help with the funeral, delaying the start of his new position by two weeks.

— Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
While some homeowners like to overseed warm-season lawns with a cool-season grass to keep the lawn green all winter, overseeding a permanent warm-season lawn with cool-season grasses may actually weaken it by delaying next spring’s early growth.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of delay

Verb

Over the weekend, Dario Amodei, the CEO of Anthropic, Elon Musk, CEO of xAI, and OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman all said the pace of development has to slow down.

— The Miami Herald, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
The outbreak has shown signs of slowing since, but experts caution that the recovery may be patchwork.

— Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of slow

Verb

On Sunday, Turkish authorities cracked down on multiple LGBTQ+ groups and individuals, detaining dozens of members, breaking into association offices and raiding popular hangouts.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026
Authorities detained at least 26 people in Istanbul and 21 in Ankara over the weekend and raided the offices of several LGBTQ+ associations.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of detain

Browse Nearby Words

set at

setback

set back

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Setback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setback. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of setback

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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