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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of setback
Preston Fore, Fortune, 12 June 2026
But the tragedies and setbacks that would haunt the band for decades more (Oakley died in a motorcycle accident of his own in 1972) also came to include Jaimoe.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 12 June 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
Among the setbacks was reportedly an unsuccessful 2007 audition for the lead role in Disney’s Sonny With a Chance—a part that ultimately went to Demi Lovato.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 12 June 2026
But the tragedies and setbacks that would haunt the band for decades more (Oakley died in a motorcycle accident of his own in 1972) also came to include Jaimoe.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2026
Verb
Global economic development was set back by decades.
—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
-
Some of it is a reversal of the pandemic effect.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
15 June 2026
-
A helping hand from the community Madi Rytina said the situation is a role reversal for her sister.—
Dennis Valera,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Building work on the basilica was held back by the Spanish civil war and a lack of funds, including Gaudí going over budget and refusing to compromise on his designs.—
Christopher Lamb,
CNN Money,
10 June 2026
-
Unable to hold back her feelings, Percy tells him everything.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Shapiro’s newest vision is sort of a reverse of the famous Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in Virginia, which starts out from each shore with about 6 or 7miles of bridge.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
10 June 2026
-
In keeping with the show’s defiance of mortality, Lee and Lifeson seemed to have almost aged in reverse since 2015, with Lifeson notably trimmer and musically nimble, and Lee pummeling his bass while skipping around the stage faster than any 72-year-old should be able to manage.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Olwan, who scored a phenomenal hat-trick in a 3-0 win against Oman to seal Jordan’s qualification for the World Cup, held up a No 11 shirt as a tribute to team-mate Yazan Al-Naimat.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Fans of both teams showed up in a good mood and the weather, which looked threatening before kickoff, held up.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Dozens of state Democratic lawmakers staged a two-week walk out, fleeing Texas to temporarily delay the bill’s passage.—
Rick Jervis,
USA Today,
25 Aug. 2025
-
The couple were engaged in 2016, but Harris said the the COVID-19 pandemic and fires that broke out through the Kelowna region in 2023 forced them to delay their plans for a wedding.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Pairing coffee with food slows absorption and lets your body draw energy from the meal itself.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
-
Ease off the accelerator - Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Hours later, the City of Saline Police Department detained him and he was then turned over to the Pittsfield Township Police Department.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
12 Dec. 2025
-
The Detroit News reported that Moore was taken into custody after being detained by police in response to a complaint.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
11 Dec. 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
-
Instead, the new data suggest that turbulent mixing with seawater or other retarding forces significantly influence the behavior of these flows over long distances.—
David Bressan,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Setback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setback. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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