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
Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2026
In addition to world-class golf, there are boutique hotels like Habitas Tulum, comprised of 32 ultra-posh canvas tents, most of which are set back in the jungle under the cover of palm and sea grape trees.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 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
His battles against football authorities in Spain, including referees, have been set back by a new strong partnership between La Liga and the Spanish FA.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2026
In addition to world-class golf, there are boutique hotels like Habitas Tulum, comprised of 32 ultra-posh canvas tents, most of which are set back in the jungle under the cover of palm and sea grape trees.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback
Noun
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In a stunning reversal, the Justice Department filed a motion in February seeking to drop criminal charges against the two Venezuelan men.—
Ashley Killough,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
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And Counterpoint flagged a sales reversal in the sixth week after launch, which raises questions about whether Samsung’s numbers will continue to look this good in the coming weeks.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Stopping on the carpet during Amazon Music's pre-show livestream, Wilson couldn't hold back on commenting about her man — quite literally.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
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It would have been misguided to paint himself as the bold employee held back by the ownership’s shackles.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
Noun
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No pattern enacted on these buttons will safely land a four-hundred-ton jetliner, flaring and bouncing and settling heavily onto its twenty-two wheels while the spoilers on the wings snap up and the jets scream in reverse and the passengers sigh in relief.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
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China is now doing the same thing in reverse—not an outright ban, but a government permission slip requirement that achieves roughly the same effect.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
19 May 2026
Verb
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The 400 square-metre basement ballroom, coloured in jade, can hold up to 350 people.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
-
The long view The expectation of a lower enrollment trend holding up is one of the key factors likely to translate into higher cost estimates as insurers draw up 2027 rates.—
Julie Appleby,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
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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Los Angeles made a move for their future by taking Ty Simpson in the draft, but Matthew Stafford isn’t poised to slow down after his MVP season.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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Certain exercises can help slow bone loss and stimulate bone growth.—
RikkiLynn Shields Hannigan,
Health,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Jessie Fuentes is suing the federal government, alleging immigration agents threatened, assaulted and unlawfully detained her at a Chicago hospital last fall.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
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In February, Andrew was detained and questioned by the Thames Valley Police for several hours as part of an investigation into alleged misconduct in public office linked to the release of the Epstein files.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
22 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 25 May. 2026.
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