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 setback
Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 29 May 2026
Braun, 25, backslid in an alarming way, never regaining his footing after getting hurt and suffering setbacks.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
The trio bested the previous record of 30 stairs set back in 2014, according to Guinness World Records.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Noun
The decision is a setback to Trump’s efforts to reshape Washington’s historic landmarks aesthetically.
—Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 29 May 2026
Braun, 25, backslid in an alarming way, never regaining his footing after getting hurt and suffering setbacks.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Verb
Human development would be set back by a generation and our children would spend their lifetimes putting the pieces of progress back together again.
—Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
The trio bested the previous record of 30 stairs set back in 2014, according to Guinness World Records.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback
Noun
-
The sudden reversal of perspective gives me the sensation of observing myself from the outside.—
Erika Landström,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
The controversy has reignited debate over harm-reduction policies, which seek to reduce the health consequences of drug use through services such as clean syringes, smoking supplies, overdose-reversal medication and connections to treatment and housing services.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The market is being held back by Iran and tariff uncertainties.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
-
There was no holding back on the project’s ambition.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
The results played into a popular narrative that Rudd seems to be aging in reverse.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2026
-
These were not tacos reverse-engineered for a white-tablecloth audience or softened for white palates.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
On my visit, actor Jamie Bell was holding up the bar.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
But the Dodgers’ offense didn’t hold up its half of the bargain.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
As instability rose, the administration reverted to strict state control, detaining opposition figures and journalists while delaying elections.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
-
Season 3 was delayed due to production issues, including, reportedly, co-creator Jason Sudeikis’ endless rewrites.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Now, with oil price momentum showing signs of slowing amid stuttering peace negotiations, the quant models may now be cutting back on their exposures.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
-
After the facility opened, delivery rates slowed.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
France has asked for its public prosecutor to investigate the treatment of French nationals who were detained by Israel after taking part in a flotilla headed for Gaza, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said today.—
Jay Ganglani,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
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Deluzio also said he was forbidden from speaking with Randy Cordova Flores, a Peruvian father who was arrested in January and is being detained at the facility.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
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 5 Jun. 2026.
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