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
Preston Fore, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
The five-star freshman had committed to USC with every intention of bolting for the NBA after one season, only for the setbacks of the past year to put his likely lottery status in doubt.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 15 Jan. 2026
Its nuclear program has been set back by Israeli strikes.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Noun
Like most careers, theirs were shaped as much by setbacks and detours as by ambition.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
The five-star freshman had committed to USC with every intention of bolting for the NBA after one season, only for the setbacks of the past year to put his likely lottery status in doubt.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
Its largest crew, a whopping 13 astronauts, was set back in 2009.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 15 Jan. 2026
Its nuclear program has been set back by Israeli strikes.
—Bobby Ghosh, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback
Noun
-
Progressives also have endorsed the reversal of qualified immunity protections, which shield agents from misconduct lawsuits.—
Ana Ceballos,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
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Staying quiet on a key economic issue like immigration represents a reversal in the public relations strategies of a once vocal group of corporate giants.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Celebrity Skin follows, and so does the eventual alienation of anyone Courtney thinks is holding back her ascent into the stratosphere.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Jan. 2026
-
To the administration, the Fed is holding back the engine to growth.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Over time, the event has grown into the Camp Flog Gnaw Festival (its name spells Golf Wang in reverse), which sold out Dodger Stadium for two consecutive days in 2025.—
Matt Craig,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Indeed, many of Newsom’s positions read as if they were reverse-engineered from Republican attack ads.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The White House has expressed openness to a compromise with the Democrats, who are holding up a government funding bill over the shooting.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Jan. 2026
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Videos posted on social media show protesters chanting inside the hotel and holding up signs, while refusing to leave the lobby.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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More flights are likely to get delayed or canceled as the storm progresses.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
25 Jan. 2026
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The Supreme Court's upcoming ruling on tariffs could be delayed until their next session on February 20, unless a rare special session is called.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Many Chinese companies, such as electric car makers, have accelerated global expansion plans as domestic growth has slowed.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
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This slows not only decision-making but overall team productivity.—
Dilan Gomih,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Others remain detained without information about why they’re being held.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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During an initial court appearance Thursday, a judge granted the government's request to detain Kazmierczak pending a detention hearing Tuesday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 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
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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
“Setback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/setback. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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