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 set back
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
The new rules discourage buildings with spacious parking lots set back far from the road, like gas stations and chain restaurants, and require that storefronts be closer to the street and include more windows.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 12 Sep. 2025
Nora Gamez Torres, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Their plan shows 80-foot setbacks and 40-foot tree buffers, along with a multi-use path along East John Street.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set back
Noun
The Family Hub refrigerator—which will set back buyers at least $1,799—is a smart appliance featuring a touchscreen display with applications for household task management and entertainment.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
The new rules discourage buildings with spacious parking lots set back far from the road, like gas stations and chain restaurants, and require that storefronts be closer to the street and include more windows.
—Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
But the law had not been tested in court, and plaintiffs have faced setbacks due to technicalities and the time lapse.
—Nora Gamez Torres, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Their plan shows 80-foot setbacks and 40-foot tree buffers, along with a multi-use path along East John Street.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for set back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for set back
Noun
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Congressional Democrats called for the reversal of Medicaid cuts that Republicans passed earlier in 2025 and for the extension of health care subsidies to be included in a funding measure, according to USA TODAY.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
1 Oct. 2025
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Even then, each reversal in her short life was, for her, an ascent — driven by an unyielding hunger for absolute truth and goodness, crowned at last in God.—
Shai Tubali,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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However, as the umpires left Wrigley Field on the first-base side — through the Padres' dugout — several members of San Diego had to be held back after going crazy on the men in black.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Swift doesn’t hold back, both musically and in terms of her biting and obsessed-over lyrics.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Ricklefs allegedly put the jeep in reverse and backed into the officers’ patrol car, drove away and then quickly returned and hit another patrol car, according to the outlet.—
Sean Neumann,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
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Heat pumps can also work in reverse, by taking hot air from inside the home and sending it back outside–just like a traditional air conditioner.—
Sara Kiley Watson,
Popular Science,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Huskies’ defense held up well against Ohio State, but the offense wasn’t capable of doing much in a 24-6 loss.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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Whole milk comes out thick and lush, like the classic cappuccino topping, while oat milk holds up surprisingly well, too—creamy and stable instead of watery.—
Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Treasury has not set a date for when the final draft will be decided, but the government shutdown may delay a final decision.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
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Munich Airport in Germany briefly delayed the relaunch of flight operations on Saturday morning local time due to drone sightings, after previous UAV sightings earlier halted all traffic at the airport for several hours.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This is because Tianwen 3 needs more atmosphere to help slow its descent onto Mars for a safe landing.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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Demand isn't going to slow down, Shah predicts.—
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Miami Herald interviewed more than 30 Venezuelan families who had husbands, brothers and sons detained.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
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However, Israel has said that four Italian citizens who were detained from the flotilla have been deported while the rest of the deportations are being processed.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 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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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
“Set back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/set%20back. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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