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
Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 21 Feb. 2026
But Jimmy Chin is the exception, filming his climb, avalanches, injuries, and near-fatal setbacks that befall the voyage.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
Torie Bosch, STAT, 7 Feb. 2026
When daylight saving time ends, clocks are set back one hour to standard time.
—Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Noun
The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision was a rare rebuke of the president and marked a significant setback for his signature economic agenda.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 21 Feb. 2026
But Jimmy Chin is the exception, filming his climb, avalanches, injuries, and near-fatal setbacks that befall the voyage.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
That is, clinicians have a duty to restrict the range of clinical options, because medical interventions with unfavorable risk/benefit profiles can set back patients’ health interests rather than protecting or promoting them.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 7 Feb. 2026
When daylight saving time ends, clocks are set back one hour to standard time.
—Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for setback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for setback
Noun
-
But the reversal underscores how Apple News is a powerful source of information in the US — and one that will respond to political pressure, if regulators get involved.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
-
In a stunning reversal, the Justice Department on Thursday filed a motion seeking to drop criminal charges against the two Venezuelan men.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There have been performances this year where Cowan has been holding back the tears, unable to separate himself from the emotion.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Fully aware of how costly the mistake was, Glenn couldn’t hide her disappointment immediately after hitting her final pose, grimacing and trying to hold back her emotions.—
Alice Park,
Time,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The result is a reverse of the normal cooling of air as elevations increase.—
David Staats,
Idaho Statesman,
16 Feb. 2026
-
LaVine follows it up with going from behind the baseline, off the toss and bounce, gathers it behind the backboard, goes between his legs and does a two-handed reverse dunk at the front of the rim.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed an ultra-stretchable material that repels nearly any liquid and holds up under extreme deformation.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
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Handcrafted in California, this compact bifold wallet holds up to 15 cards, all while maintaining a minimal size for easy, convenient carrying.—
Jennifer Vermeer,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
It was also delayed thanks to a series of multiple wet dress rehearsal failures.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Feb. 2026
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Los Altos Hills Mayor Rajiv Bhateja said since taxes are likely unfeasible, the hike could force the the town to lay off 10% of its staff or delay key projects like road maintenance.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The move delivered a major boost to Ukraine’s morale and slowed down Russian advances along the eastern front.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Ease off the accelerator - Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The same day, an individual is detained by but later released.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
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This includes many opposition figures, activists, journalists, students and others detained during protests in 2014, 2017, 2019 and beyond.—
Alessandra Freitas,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 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 22 Feb. 2026.
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