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 set back
Arkansas Online, 2 July 2025
Many Republicans left satisfied, though their assessments of how much Iran’s nuclear program was set back by the bombing varied.
—Joey Cappelletti, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025
Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2025
The Netherlands slashed its offshore wind power generation goal by up to 40%, marking the latest setback for the sector.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for set back
Noun
With Netanyahu's visit, the timing of which was first reported by Axios, Trump will embrace the Israeli leader while continuing to push back against skeptical questions from Democratic lawmakers and others about how far U.S. and Israeli strikes have set back Iran's nuclear program.
—Arkansas Online, 2 July 2025
Many Republicans left satisfied, though their assessments of how much Iran’s nuclear program was set back by the bombing varied.
—Joey Cappelletti, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025
Verb
Despite the setbacks, Carthen and Vansteenberghe had at least one thing going for them: America.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2025
The Netherlands slashed its offshore wind power generation goal by up to 40%, marking the latest setback for the sector.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for set back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for set back
Noun
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What followed the takeover can only be described as a total reversal of the progress made in the country during the twenty years of the Afghan Republic, and the return of terror.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
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Newsom, a Democrat who has increasingly tangled with Trump over issues from immigration to wildfire, said the state would fight the funding reversal.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
Verb
-
Pat Riley held back from making big moves until he got involved in a three-team trade that brought Norman Powell to town.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
-
There’s the notion that trying to hold back tears only makes someone cry harder, and that’s kind of what happens to Mistress trying not to be mad about her Snatch Game result.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
11 July 2025
Noun
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In reverse, Clemson fans may grow up with Notre Dame occupying similar real estate to Georgia.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
-
More than 80 years ago, the crew of the USS New Orleans, having been hit by a Japanese torpedo and losing scores of sailors, performed hasty repairs with coconut logs, before a 1,800-mile voyage across the Pacific in reverse.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
9 July 2025
Verb
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On July 10, air traffic control cleared the Delta Airbus A321, which can hold up to 220 passengers, for takeoff two minutes ahead of schedule at 9:58 a.m., according to live flight tracker site Flight Aware.—
Hadley Hitson,
The Tennessean,
15 July 2025
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Jenner even showed off his surfing moves, getting up on top of a board being held up by multiple friends.—
Rachel McRady,
People.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Apple looks to have delayed the release of the new macOS hardware into 2026.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
-
Dietary changes such as intermittent fasting, caloric restriction, and ketogenic diet with regular exercise can prevent MASH or delay its progression.—
Suchandrima Bhowmik,
Health,
12 July 2025
Verb
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However, sales growth has slowed significantly since 2020, now below the core acquiring market's high-single growth rate, implying market share loss to disruptors like Stripe, Fiserv's Clover, Shopify and others.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
19 July 2025
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In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here's what to know: Ease off the accelerator - Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
19 July 2025
Verb
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The state has refused to make public a roster of detainees at Alligator Alcatraz, instead offering selective information about who is being detained there.—
Ana Ceballos,
Miami Herald,
13 July 2025
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In Garfield, Pitkin and Rio Blanco counties, federal agents monitored courthouse dockets in order to detain defendants for immigration proceedings, Ninth Judicial District Chief Judge John Neiley wrote in an April 8 order instructing federal agents to stop.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
13 July 2025
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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Blockchain thus provides companies and banks a way to undo Basel II’s and Basel III’s retarding effect on trade finance while complying with their requirements.—
Rebecca Liao,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Aug. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Set back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20back. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
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