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
Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
Development faced multiple setbacks.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Apr. 2026
Cutter Martin, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Nestled in the middle of a large green pocket of Yiewsley between a golf course and Stockley Country Park, the 3,770-capacity stadium is flanked on two sides by tall trees and well set back from the nearest road.
—Liam Twomey, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Noun
Women in politics aren’t having a great week, but women in STEM are not letting a few setbacks … uh, set them back.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
Development faced multiple setbacks.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
Under a mix of sun and clouds, Baltimore's afternoon high temperature will come very close to the record high of 86° set back in 2011.
—Cutter Martin, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Nestled in the middle of a large green pocket of Yiewsley between a golf course and Stockley Country Park, the 3,770-capacity stadium is flanked on two sides by tall trees and well set back from the nearest road.
—Liam Twomey, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback
Noun
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Since around 2022, dioceses across the country have reported a reversal of that trend, with growing numbers of Americans — particularly Millennials and Gen Z — choosing to join the Catholic Church.—
Brit McCandless Farmer,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
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Since the beginning of the year, the mayor and the Regional Task Force on Homelessness have touted various statistics that show a reversal in the long trend of a growing unhoused population.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The city chose a more muscular solution, raising the park and lifting the river’s edge to form a wall intended to hold back sixteen feet of surge.—
Eric Klinenberg,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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During the show’s second hour, Guthrie went outside to thank the crowd and briefly held back tears.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Zadorov crushed Seth Jarvis, who had tried an highly unsuccessful reverse, on a brutal but clean check that took Jarvis a while to shake off.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
-
It gets lost in the championship run, but the Wolverines’ leader really pulled off a Euro step reverse and-1.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At first, López held up his hands as the two glared at each other before both started throwing punches.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
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Brayden Bogdan hit a clutch two-run single in the bottom of the sixth inning to give Apponequet (1-0) a 3-2 lead over Bishop Stang which held up.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Congress allocated money for it, but billions of dollars were delayed due to the shutdown.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Bogey’s Image, ridden by Teddy Davies, appeared to win, only for a lengthy stewards’ inquiry to delay the result as spectators waited along the rails.—
Michael Howes,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If someone dodges details, slow down and repeat the key request.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
-
At that time, Cumberland Police Chief Don Boehs used his vehicle to slow the pursuit.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The two were detained for over a week this past winter.—
Frankie McLister,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
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In Gulf states, hundreds of people have been arrested or detained for posting videos of strikes and military facilities to social media.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
10 Apr. 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
-
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 15 Apr. 2026.
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